Right To Life Report
10/08/2019
I recently came home to a political flyer in my mailbox. Two candidates for office at the state level were all smiles as they had received the backing of Planned Parenthood. One of the candidate states that she led the fight in the House of Delegates against extreme politicians and their attacks on access to safe, legal abortion. Both candidates go on to say that they will never back down from the fight.
The Virginia Catholic Conference reminds us the following legislation that was considered by the General Assembly in 2019 and is expected to be considered again in 2020.
Eliminating most restrictions on second and third trimester abortions.
Eliminating health and safety standards that protect women seeking abortions.
Ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, the language of which has already been used to challenge and overturn pro-life laws in other states.
A bill to legalize assisted suicide, also introduced in 2019, is expected to resurface in 2020.
Bishops Statement of US Senate Failure to Pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Virginia Bishops’ Statement on U.S. Senate’s Failure to Pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act We are deeply dismayed and astounded that the U.S. Senate has failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S. 311). It is a matter of common sense and basic human decency to require, as S. 311 would have, that any health care practitioner present when a child is born alive following an abortion give the same degree of care to preserve the life and health of the child as would be given to any other newborn. That this bill did not pass unanimously – let alone even pass at all – is appalling and beyond comprehension. We are dismayed and outraged that Virginia’s U.S. Senators Warner and Kaine voted against this critical lifesaving legislation. We urge the Senate to reconsider its decision as soon as possible. This joint statement has been issued by Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, and Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, Bishop of Richmond.
Government should prevent, not promote suicide. The purpose of the medical profession is to heal, not to kill. Our bishops encourage us to vote with well-formed conscience on November 5th. I would also ask you to be well informed as well. We should be ashamed of the actions of many of our elected officials over the last few years.
In Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity,
Mike Smith
