by KYW’s Jim Melwert
President Barack Obama on Friday struck down the Bush administration's ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information -- an inflammatory policy that has bounced in and out of law for the past quarter-century.
Obama's move, the latest in an aggressive first week reversing contentious Bush policies, was warmly welcomed by liberal groups and denounced by abortion rights foes.
Philadelphia Arch Bishop Justin Rigali chairs the US Bishops' Committee on Pro-life activities and archdiocese spokeswoman Donna Farrell says they are disappointed with president Obama's move:
"Cardinal Rigali said that an administration that wants to reduce abortions as the Obama administration has said should not be diverting US funds to groups that promote abortions."
But Dayle Steinberg, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood, Southeastern Pennsylvania disagrees:
"The most logical way to prevent the need for abortion is to increase access to vital family planning services."
Both sides of the debate say this move was expected and plan to continue their work in furthering their causes.
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