The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops is alerting the state’s Catholics to the danger of signing a petition currently being circulated throughout the state. Here is the bishops’ statement:
An extremely grave initiative is underway in Florida that seeks to erase pro-life protections by banning government regulation of abortion in our state constitution. A network of abortion activists is working to gather petition signatures to have a pro-abortion constitutional amendment, titled Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion, placed on the statewide ballot for the November 2024 election. In order to do so, they need nearly 900,000 signatures and are working right now in communities across Florida to collect them.
This amendment is deeply concerning because it will allow all abortions to be obtained until viability and includes a broad “health” loophole, essentially allowing abortion on demand up to birth. The amendment would hinder the Florida legislature’s ability to protect women and children from abortion. It could also nullify current laws requiring parental consent before minors obtain abortions and a 24-hour waiting period prior to abortions, as well as the 15-week and 6-week abortion laws recently passed by the legislature.
Floridians should not sign the petition. Declining to sign is not impeding the democratic process; it is taking a stand against what would be a terrible state policy. The FCCB is following developments in the initiative process closely and diligently preparing to help defeat it. Please continue your prayers for the protection of the unborn and spread the word to your spheres of influence.
Thank you for helping to protect and respect all human life, especially the most vulnerable.
