Bishop calls for #MeToo type movement for unborn children to deter abortion

A bishop from Rhode Island believes there should be a #MeToo movement for unborn children in order to deter abortion. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin shared his sentiments on social media and also called out Catholic political leaders to take seriously their obligation to do something about the problem of abortion across the world.

An activist holds a rosary while ralling against abortion outside City Hall in Los Angeles, California September 29, 2015. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

In a post on Twitter, the bishop said that abortion is a "capital punishment for babies and [an] exploitation of vulnerable women." Tobin said that despite abortion being immoral, there's not a lot of discussions about the "right to end the life of the unborn child."

He alluded to the #MeToo movement that raised awareness and highlighted abuse cases and sexual harassment in Hollywood. Victims often use the hashtag when sharing their stories and experiences online.

Tobin also criticized Catholic politicians in a separate tweet last March. He said that followers of Christ could never support abortion.

The bishop describes himself as "ardently pro-life" in his Twitter profile. He also campaigned to vote pro-life during the 2016 elections.

He shunned candidates who were for abortion and even criticized the Democratic candidate, Tim Kaine, a known Catholic, who supported abortion and same sex marriage. Tobin also denied communion to Democratic Representative Patrick Kennedy in 2009 because of his support for abortion.

A study showed that 2,636 abortions took place daily in the United States in 2014. Planned Parenthood, the biggest provider of abortions in the country, reported it carried out 321,384 abortions in 2016.

Abortion continues to be a hot topic in U.S. politics and other Western countries. Some states continue to push for the defunding of abortion providers, or limit the services, or ban the process altogether.

President Donald Trump mentioned in his campaign that he would like to defund Planned Parenthood. Proponents, however, have been staunchly fighting for abortion to be recognized as a basic right for women, and that the rights of the mother should trump that of the unborn baby.

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