March 27, 2022 - "Not an Unnecessary Symbolic Bill"

On March 11, 2022 Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop Lori of Baltimore and Bishop Koenig of Wilmington, the three (arch)bishops who lead dioceses in Maryland, wrote a guest commentary for the Baltimore Sun in which they urged support for women and their children and not an “unnecessary, symbolic” bill that would enshrine abortion in Maryland’s Constitution.  Here is an excerpt from their op-ed commentary:
 
“Maryland is already one of the most abortion-permissive states in the nation.  And even if the United States Supreme Court were to strike down the current federal standard for abortions, the laws in states like Maryland would remain in effect.  From COVID to racist acts of violence to crime in our communities, our nation and state have spoken with a united voice in calling for greater respect for human dignity and for human life.  Yet, the legislature is wasting time and resources on an unnecessary, symbolic gesture to make it harder to protect life…shouldn’t we…be investing resources into helping those women who feel they have choice but abortion by providing them and their babies with those basic necessities that will allow them to live justly and with dignity?”
 
Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop Lori, and Bishop Koenig note that women and their children need access to life affirming and affordable health care, housing, gainful employment, prenatal care, and childcare.  The Catholic Church in the Archdioceses of Washington and Baltimore and the Diocese of Wilmington remains committed to helping women and children in need not only during the months of pregnancy but the whole life of the child.  This has been and will continue to be the mission of pregnancy centers as well as our network of schools, hospitals, parishes and the great work of Catholic Charities.
 
Finally, they note that abortion has divided our state and nations for decades.  The passage of H.B. 1171 will deepen the divide by disrupting laws already in place that safeguard both life and freedom of conscience and prevent even modest laws to protect life from being enacted.  They urge that we push for ways that dignify every life, lift up every woman, and promote the dignity and value of every person.  Above all, they urge that the people of Maryland really need to find ways to overcome racial, economic, and emotional barriers that cause women to believe that their only response to pregnancy is abortion.  For more information please check this link on the Maryland Catholic Conference website:  Md. Bishops: Support Women, not Abortion Amendment (mdcatholic.org)
 
Until next week,
Fr. John