John Roberts and Roe V. Wade
Meredith Sellers
Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: editor's picks
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Versus Magazine Online [Image based format]
In 1973 the Supreme Court ruled that abortion should be legalized under an inferred "right to privacy" found in the Constitution. Thirty-two years later, proponents of Roe v. Wade fear that the landmark decision may be overturned, eliminating a woman's right to choose.
The composition of the court is changing in the wake of the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Some liberal proponents of abortion rights believe that the filling of these vacancies by staunch conservatives could be the death sentence for Roe v. Wade.
Judge John Roberts, originally nominated by President Bush to replace Justice O'Connor, is now destined for Rehnquist's position. His designation as both a Catholic and a conservative has caused women's rights activists and other liberal groups to demand close scrutiny of both his past statements and present views on the Roe v. Wade decision.
"I feel threatened as a woman that my rights over my body could be taken away in an instant," said Vanderbilt student Gracyn Sansbury. She and others who share her opinion want to make sure that Roberts will not revoke the ruling.
Many wonder if Roberts' Catholic faith, whose doctrine teaches that abortion is wrong in any situation, might influence his ability to make impartial decisions on abortion rights; however, others are sure that he can put away his private convictions to make court judgments.
"I think Roberts' religion influences his personal beliefs, but will not impact his professional decisions," says Catholic freshman Heather Benzmiller. "He has been appointed to represent all of America, not just Catholic America."
It may not be Roberts' Catholicism that poses the biggest threat to Roe v. Wade. Those worried about the fate of the decision should perhaps be looking at Roberts' philosophy on the Constitution instead of his religious preferences.