While the presidential election is top of mind for the nation this November, Maryland Catholics are focusing on an amendment that would enshrine abortion into the state Constitution.
The Maryland Catholic Conference, which represents the state’s Catholic bishops in Annapolis, is joining other local Catholic leaders in urging Marylanders to vote no on Question 1 – “The Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment.”
“We oppose the ‘Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment’ as it contradicts the fundamental principles of respect for human dignity and the inherent right to life,” the bishops of Maryland said in a statement issued May 8. “Our opposition to this initiative is rooted in our unwavering concern for the well-being of women and children.”
Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory and Wilmington, Del., Bishop William E. Koenig, whose dioceses each include parts of Maryland, said in the statement that enshrining abortion into Maryland’s Constitution would further perpetuate a “throwaway” culture, divert attention and resources away from women’s well-being and risk healthcare providers’ rights.
They also said the amendment would severely limit legislative flexibility, preventing elected officials from enacting laws that respond to changing circumstances or new evidence related to abortion policy.
“Everyone should be concerned about this,” said Erin Younkins, director of Life, Justice and Peace in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Institute for Evangelization. “It is an unprecedented amendment to our state’s Constitution because it ends the conversation in a way that is not acceptable.”
Many Marylanders do not know what the current state abortion law is, Younkins said. Women can access an abortion at any time during their pregnancy – even up until birth – for any reason.
“A lot of people who identify as pro-choice still side with us,” she said. “They want to limit access to abortion.”
Younkins believes the amendment is poorly written and extremely vague, leaving too much to interpretation.
While the amendment would not change or limit access to abortion in Maryland, it would make it difficult going forward to change the abortion laws and create meaningful laws to safeguard women’s health care. It could also leave women with fewer health care options and hinder personal decisions for their pregnancy, including access to abortion-reversal pills.
“What people should be doing right now is informing themselves about what the ballot (measure) is and what it does,” said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. “People need to get the word out with neighbors, friends and family.”
Instead of enshrining abortion in the Constitution, the Maryland Catholic Conference urges Catholics to advocate for and demand policies that address the root causes of abortion and offer comprehensive solutions such as access to resources and support services for pregnant women and mothers, including health care, childcare, education and economic assistance.
Getting OUT the word
Catholic conference leaders have been distributing door hangers, flyers and stickers encouraging people to “Vote no on question 1.” They also have a parish resource kit that provides prayers, general intercessions and homily resources, social media graphics, and bulletin, pulpit and Flocknote announcements.
Kraska and Diane Arias, associate director for respect life at the MCC, will visit parishes through October to discuss the ballot initiative in both English and Spanish during and after Masses.
Parishes can also help by making sure their parishioners are registered to vote and encouraging them to vote by mail or in person.
“We take for granted and assume that most people are registered to vote,” Kraska said. “If people are not registered to vote, they can still register even on Election Day.”
People can register to vote online up until Oct. 15. If registering by mail, the envelope must be postmarked by Oct. 15. In-person registration continues through Election Day, Nov. 5.
“It is important to defeat this measure because if the most vulnerable among us can be subjected to abortion, then it’s only a matter of time before other vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, chronically ill individuals, the physically disabled and those who suffer from mental ailments can be dispensed with,” said Dr. Marie-Alberte Boursiquot, past president of the Catholic Medical Association.
Boursiquot, a parishioner of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, believes that if the amendment passes, it would undermine the patient-physician relationship. This would be the first amendment to the state Constitution where health care providers’ conscience rights are threatened.
“Every patient should rest assured in knowing that their physician always has their best interest at heart,” Boursiquot said. “We recognize and respect the dignity of every human being, including the baby in a mother’s womb.”
Younkins and Kraska both agree that the vote in November will be an uphill battle due to Maryland’s progressive stance on abortion access. The amendment was passed in both the Maryland State Senate and the Maryland House of Representatives, enabling it to be put before voters.
“It’s very worrisome,” Younkins said. “If the amendment passes, it will be a crucial moment for pro-life Catholics to recommit themselves to the Gospel of Life. We will need to increase our support to pregnancy resource centers and make ourselves available to women and families facing physically and emotionally challenging situations.”
Kraska said it’s essential for all people, whether pro-life or pro-choice, to understand what the amendment does.
“All people should want to be pro-women and women’s health,” she said. “We are severely hurting women and women’s health if this amendment passes. Vote no on question one.”
What would Question 1 do?
This ballot initiative, if passed in November, would enshrine abortion in the Maryland Constitution. Pro-life advocates warn that passage would have the following effects:
- Chill healthcare access for women in Maryland
- Bar or hinder women’s personal decisions for their pregnancy, including access to abortion-reversal pills
- Remove flexibility to craft laws that serve residents’ needs and interests, such as safeguards for women’s health
Source: Maryland Catholic Conference
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