Bishop Urges Vote Against Abortion Amendment in Virginia

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Arlington diocese in Virginia is calling on Catholics to reject a proposed constitutional amendment concerning abortion, labeling it as “extreme” and “unnecessary.”

In a video shared by Catholics Vote No, Burbidge discussed “two dangerous ballot initiatives” and highlighted one of them, which will appear as “ballot question one.” He warned that this initiative could establish “a legal right to unregulated abortion, performed by unlicensed practitioners at any time during pregnancy.”

“This amendment proposes an extreme and vague change to the Virginia Constitution,” Burbidge stated. “It poses a threat to the health and safety of mothers and would permit abortions targeting healthy babies right up until birth.”

He further indicated that the amendment would extend these so-called rights to minors as well. “It would strip parents of their involvement in life-altering and irreversible decisions regarding their minor daughters,” he noted. “Abortion is already legal in Virginia, but what’s on the ballot this fall would push the boundaries beyond what most citizens consider reasonable. The proposed amendment is extreme, unnecessary, and simply wrong.”

Burbidge also addressed the second amendment, referred to as “ballot question two,” which aims to remove the idea that “marriage is between one man and one woman” from Virginia’s Constitution. Additionally, it would “enshrine gender ideology by inaccurately separating the reality of one’s sex and gender.”

While Burbidge acknowledged that the Catholic Church “is not partisan” and doesn’t endorse specific candidates or political parties, he emphasized that the Church “always speaks clearly, faithfully, and truthfully” about issues of faith and morals as guided by the Gospel.

“The church firmly supports the protection of the unborn and the sanctity of all human life,” he added. “To express this support, we must collectively reject these radically unjust ballot initiatives in fidelity to God and for the benefit of all in our society.”

According to reports from earlier this year, Virginia lawmakers passed a constitutional amendment regarding abortion that will be presented in a statewide referendum this November.

The abortion amendment, sponsored by Democrat state Sen. Jennifer Boysko and Democrat Del. Charniele Herring, aims to create a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which includes the ability to make and carry out decisions regarding prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management, and fertility care.”

While it would allow some regulation of third-trimester abortions, it would prevent the state from banning abortions deemed necessary by a physician to safeguard the “life or physical or mental health of a pregnant individual” or if the physician determines the baby is “not viable.”

As it stands, abortion is legal in Virginia up until 27 weeks of pregnancy, according to Abortion Finder.