This letter is in response to the remarks made last week by Margaret Conway, a representative of Catholics for Choice. As a Roman Catholic, I resent Ms. Conway's statement that the only reason the Catholic church has become active in the abortion debate is because of an "obsession" with controlling people's sex lives instead of a genuine concern for human life.

Only a totally uninformed Catholic could doubt the church's genuine concern for human life.

According to the Catholic Witness, the official newspaper for the diocese of Harrisburg, the diocese provided a total of $4,217,000 to Catholic charities in 1989 (Jan. 12, 1990). Catholic charities provide shelter and support for unwed mothers, aide the homeless, and support numerous charitable programs.

No Catholic can morally justify a "pro-choice" stand on abortion when the "choice" in question involves taking a human life. From the moment of conception, a new human being has come into existence, regardless of how he or she was conceived.

Some Catholic pro-choice advocates claim that certain circumstances make abortion justifiable, such as if the life is deformed or has AIDS. The church believes these arguments are morally flawed because, as Catholics, we are taught that whatever we do for the least among us, we are doing for Christ.

Instead of welcoming these innocent victims with Christian compassion, some people advocate murdering them. This position is morally unacceptable and the church's teachings on the matter should come as no surprise to any Catholic.

Abortion on demand is a crime against humanity and should not be protected under the law.