“Policies such as these have no place in the constitution of our state. I urge Catholics and all people of goodwill to oppose this very harmful amendment,” he said.
The proposal would add another section to the Ohio Constitution’s Bill of Rights to include a right to “reproductive freedom.” If passed by voters this November, the constitution would read “every individual has a right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions.” This would include, but not be limited to, abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, and continuing one’s pregnancy.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio said in a statement that it “firmly opposes” Issue 1 on the grounds that “this extreme amendment endangers the health and safety of women, threatens parental rights, and allows for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.”
“The Catholic Church has always advocated for and acted to protect the most vulnerable in society, including the indigent, migrants, and preborn children in the womb,” the Catholic Conference continued. “We will continue to do so by explaining the harms Issue 1 poses to women, parents, and babies with Catholics and all people of goodwill across Ohio and encourage a no vote on this egregious proposal.”
The Republican-controlled ballot board approved summary language emphasizing the term “unborn child” and minimizing limits on abortion, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
The official Issue 1 summary reads: “The proposed amendment would always allow an unborn child to be aborted at any stage of pregnancy, regardless of viability if, in the treating physician’s determination, the abortion is necessary to protect the pregnant woman’s life or health.”