La réaction des catholiques américains face au problème de l'avortement de 1973 à 1980
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Abstract EN:
Choquee par la decision de la cour supreme, rce v. Wade, qui, en 1973 legalisa aux etats-unis, l'eglise catholique americaine decida de reagir. Aussitot, elle lanca une formidable campagne pour faire pression en faveur de l'adoption d'un amendement constitutionnel, pratiquement le seul moyen pour invalider le jugement de l'instance supreme. En 1975, en vue de faire du probleme l'avortement un enjeu decisif des elections presidentielles et legislatives de 1976 , la hierarchie publia un document sans precedent : le pastoral plan for pro-life activities. Vers la fin des annees 1970, le mouvement right-to-life s'allia avec la nouvelle droite et les organisations fondamental istes protestantes pour elire, a la tete de l'executif, un adversaire farouche de l'avortement : ronald reagan.
Abstract FR:
Abortion emerged during the 1970's as an extremely divisive and polarising issue in the united states shocked by the supreme court ruling (rce v. Wade) which, in 1973, legalized abortion, the american catholic church decided to react. It believed that abortion was murder, but did not intend to stop at religious and moral discourse. Soon, it mounted a campaign to press for the passage of a human life amendment, the only means to overturn the supreme court decision. In 1975, looking ahead to the 1976 presidential and legislative elections, the catholic hierarchy released an unprecente d document : the pastoral plan for pro-life activities. Finally, by the late 1970's, it gained a very important ally : the new right, which viewed abortion not only as murder, but also as an assault on the traditional and nuclear family. Both movements worked for the election, to the white house , of a devoted right-to-life advocate : ronald reagan.