Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Voting in November
 Over the next few months, you will be hearing a lot about an upcoming vote on an amendment to the Ohio Constitution.  It was the topic of an all-day meeting that the priests of the diocese had with our bishop recently.  The subtle wording of this amendment is so incredibly draconian that even if one had pro-abortion inclinations, this bill is so heinous that it should be fought by every well-informed Ohioan.  For Catholics it is impossible to support this as it offends the very dignity of the human person and actively disregards the very bonds that form the common good of a society.

It is promoted as protecting a woman’s right to have a safe and legal abortion, but its reach is far more than that.  These other aims are not stated clearly and honestly.  They are obfuscated so that voters will not know exactly what they are voting on.  Here are some examples:

“Every individual has a right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions.”

Notice that it does not say, “Women have a right.”  This phrasing will be used to include minors who may seek such operations without her parent’s consent. 

“The State shall not, directly or indirectly, burden, penalize, prohibit, interfere with . . .”

“These words are specific legal terms interpreted by courts nation-wide to strike down parental notification and consent laws.”  This means that your child will still need a permission slip to go on a field trip to the museum with her class, but can obtain this medical procedure without a parent even being notified.

“The State . . . will not interfere with a person or entity that assists an individual exercising this right.”

This mean that your child’s school, her soccer coach, an aunt, the creepy guy around the corner may assist your child in obtaining an abortion and as parents you will have no legal recourse.  A theater may face legal action if it allows an underage person to see a rated R movie, but summer camp leader that takes your child to an abortion clinic can do so with impunity.

Here’s what you can do:

1   Refuse to sign.  Those who want this amendment are looking for signatures to get it on the ballot.  They will make it sound quite different than what was stated above because the majority of Ohioans would never accept such an amendment so they must use deceptive tactics.

2   Be informed and inform others.  There is a mighty campaign coming designed to make this bill seem reasonable and acceptable, which it is not.  Help others know what the truth is.

3   Of course, when the time comes, vote!  And get others out and vote also.

Over the next few months, you will be provided with tools that you need to understand and help in this effort.  In the meantime, keep the great state of Ohio in your prayers.

Please check out our diocesan Protect Life Office website:
https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/offices/parish-life/office-for-human-life/protect-them-both

Also: www.protectwomenohio.com

Furthermore, there is another vote coming up in August, ISSUE 1. This is separate from what is written above, but will have direct implications on how the November vote will happen.  Next week I will have more details on the August vote.

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr