Bishop Johnston addresses extreme consequences of Amendment 3 (English and Espanol)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Missouri has strong pro-life laws protecting preborn children from harm or death, and women and families from the deeply emotional, spiritual, and physical wounds of abortion. On November 5, you will be asked to vote on Amendment 3 which aims to strip away these protections and enshrine an absolute right to abortion in our Missouri state constitution.
There are many alarming consequences to this extreme amendment, including:
- abortions for any reason before viability (usually in the sixth month of pregnancy) even when a preborn child is old enough to feel pain, resulting in extremely late-term surgical abortions;
- no parental notification or consent for any reproductive healthcare decisions;
- new health risks for women – any “health care professional” could legally perform an abortion or provide a prescription for the abortion pill including a nurse, physician assistant, dental hygienist, or pharmacist;
[Addendum (10.2.24): Amendment 3 does not say abortion providers will be required to have a medical license and medical malpractice insurance. If it is passed, it could repeal these current Missouri statues: Section 188.020 RSMo, physician required to perform an abortion; Section 188.021 RSMo, requirements for administration of abortion pill (in the same room and in physical presence of doctor); Section 188.080 RSMo, admitting privileges required for a physician providing abortions.
Additionally, when you read Amendment 3, specifically subsection 4, “healthcare provider” isn’t defined. But if we look at other sections of Missouri law the term could be interpreted pretty broadly. For example, Section 196.973, RSMo includes doctors, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and yes, even a dental hygienist, among others. Consider this scenario: Under current Missouri law, the abortion pill must be administered in the physical presence of the doctor who prescribed the pill. Would Amendment 3 allow any healthcare professional who can prescribe medication to provide the abortion pill? The physical presence requirement would likely be challenged.]
- very limited civil or criminal recourse against negligence resulting in harm or death of a mother receiving reproductive healthcare or a wanted child during delivery
[Addendum (10.2.24): Amendment 3 clearly states in subsection 5 “Nor shall any person assisting a person in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with that person’s consent be penalized, prosecuted or otherwise subjected to adverse action for doing so.” Subsection 6 adds, “The Government shall not discriminate against persons providing or obtaining reproductive healthcare or assisting another person in doing so.”];
- an open door to force taxpayer funding of abortion, as is now happening in Michigan.
The full amendment can be read here: sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-086.pdf
So, what can you do?
Pray
I believe the magnitude and gravity of the current moment requires a fervent spiritual response. For, to be honest, the present odds appear to favor the culture of death. Go to Mass and pray that God will save Missouri; pray the Rosary daily through November 5; invoke the intercession of St. Joseph who protected the infant Christ against the wickedness of Herod, and if you’re able, practice fasting on Fridays.
Vote
I am urging you to vote “no” on Amendment 3 so that women and preborn babies continue to be protected in Missouri from the trauma of abortion and that Missourians will not surrender their rights. Share the facts about this alarming amendment with others.
Safeguard Them Both
Join these ministries and programs to redouble efforts to give women control and real choices.
- If you have lost a child to abortion, come for mercy and healing. hopeafterabortion.org
- Share your maternal experience by mentoring a young mother through Gabriel Project. gabrielprojectkc.org
- Share your time, talent and treasure with a pregnancy resource center. Find one near you at lifeandjusticekcsj.org
- Support Catholic Charities’ Mom’s Empowerment Program. Learn more at catholiccharities-kcsj.org.
As Catholics we must renew and add to the ways we support women and families experiencing an unexpected pregnancy or difficult diagnosis and their preborn babies through supportive care and love. This is the best response to what Pope Francis has called the “throwaway culture.” I hope we can all respond to this gathering storm with prayer and action, aided by the help of Our Lady and the grace of Our Lord.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend James V. Johnston, Jr.
Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph
Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo:
Missouri cuenta con sólidas leyes provida que protegen a los niños antes de nacer del daño o la muerte, y a las mujeres y familias de las profundas heridas emocionales, espirituales y físicas del aborto. El 5 de noviembre, se les pedirá que voten sobre la Enmienda 3, que pretende eliminar estas protecciones y consagrar un derecho absoluto al aborto en nuestra constitución estatal de Missouri.
Esta enmienda extrema tiene muchas consecuencias alarmantes, entre ellas:
- abortos por cualquier motivo antes de la viabilidad (normalmente en el sexto mes de embarazo) incluso cuando el niño antes de nacer tiene edad suficiente para sentir dolor, lo que da lugar a abortos quirúrgicos extremadamente tardíos;
- ninguna notificación o consentimiento de los padres para cualquier decisión de salud reproductiva;
- nuevos riesgos para la salud de las mujeres: cualquier “profesional sanitario” podría practicar legalmente un aborto, incluyendo una enfermera, un asistente médico, un higienista dental o un farmacéutico;
- ningún recurso civil o penal contra la negligencia que resulte en daño o muerte de una madre que recibe atención sanitaria reproductiva o de un niño deseado durante el parto;
- una puerta abierta para forzar la financiación del aborto por parte de los contribuyentes, como está ocurriendo ahora en Michigan.
La enmienda completa puede leerse aquí: sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-086.pdf
Entonces, ¿qué pueden hacer?
Orar
Creo que la magnitud y la gravedad del momento actual exigen una ferviente respuesta espiritual. Porque, para ser sinceros, las probabilidades actuales parecen favorecer a la cultura de la muerte. Vayan a Misa y recen para que Dios salve a Missouri; recen el Rosario diariamente hasta el 5 de noviembre; invoquen la intercesión de San José, que protegió al niño Cristo contra la maldad de Herodes, y si pueden, practiquen el ayuno los viernes.
Votar
Les insto a votar “no” a la Enmienda 3 para que las mujeres y los bebés antes de nacer sigan estando protegidos en Missouri del trauma del aborto y para que los habitantes de Missouri no renuncien a sus derechos. Compartan con los demás los datos sobre esta alarmante enmienda.
Protegerlos a ambos
Únanse a estos ministerios y programas para redoblar los esfuerzos por dar a las mujeres control y opciones reales.
- Si usted ha perdido un hijo a causa del aborto, venga en busca de misericordia y sanación. hopeafterabortion.org
- Comparta su experiencia materna asesorando a una madre joven a través de Gabriel Project. gabrielprojectkc.org
- Comparta su tiempo, talento y tesoro con un centro de recursos para embarazadas. Encuentre uno cerca de usted en lifeandjusticekcsj.org
- Apoye el Programa de Empoderamiento de la Mamá de Caridades Católicas. Obtenga más información en catholiccharities-kcsj.org
Como católicos, debemos renovar y aumentar las formas en que apoyamos a las mujeres y las familias que experimentan un embarazo inesperado o un diagnóstico difícil y a sus bebés no nacidos a través de la atención de apoyo y el amor. Esta es la mejor respuesta a lo que el Papa Francisco ha llamado la “cultura del usar y tirar”. Espero que todos podamos responder a esta tormenta con la oración y la acción, ayudados por la ayuda de Nuestra Señora y la gracia de Nuestro Señor.
Sinceramente suyo en Cristo,
Reverendísimo James V. Johnston, Jr.
Obispo de Kansas City-St. Joseph
