Catholics for Choice Applauds Catholic Lawmakers for New Statement of Pro-Choice Principles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saturday, June 24, 2023
Contact: John Becker, Press Secretary
Phone: 202-203-0931
Email: jbecker@catholicsforchoice.org
Catholics for Choice Applauds Catholic Lawmakers for New Statement of Pro-Choice Principles
WASHINGTON — Catholics for Choice, which uplifts and amplifies the voices of the majority of Catholics who believe in reproductive freedom, applauded a group of Catholic lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives led by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) for releasing a bold statement of principles today, renewing their faith-based support for abortion access on the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision.
The group’s statement reads, in part:
“Our faith unfailingly promotes the common good, prioritizes the dignity of every human being, and highlights the need to provide a collective safety net to our most vulnerable.
“We are committed to making real the basic principles at the heart of Catholic social teaching: helping the poor, disadvantaged, and the oppressed; protecting the least among us; and ensuring that all Americans of every faith are given meaningful opportunities to share in the blessings of this great country. We recognize that bans and restrictions on abortion disproportionately harm those who already endure poverty, discrimination, and racism. Our values demand that we dismantle economic insecurity, gender inequality, and systemic racism…
“The fundamental tenets of our Catholic faith — social justice, conscience, and religious freedom — compel us to defend a woman’s right to access abortion. We are committed to advocating for the respect and protection of those making the decision if and when to have children.”
Catholics for Choice President Jamie L. Manson, M.Div., said:
“In today’s hostile and polarized political environment, taking such a principled stance in support of abortion access is both an act of courage and a leap of faith – even though it is in line with the views of the majority of Americans and the beliefs of most U.S. Catholics. As these elected officials rightly note, 63% of Catholics support legal abortion in all or most cases, despite what the hierarchy and the media would lead you to believe.
“At Catholics for Choice, we are grateful for elected officials who know that boldly and publicly supporting abortion access is the just and right thing to do. We pray that the example set by the signers of the Renewed Statement of Principles — which CFC proudly supported in partnership with Rep. DeLauro’s office — inspires more members of the pro-choice majority to speak out about their support for access to abortion care from a place of faith.”
Catholics for Choice Director of Policy Shannon Russell, J.D., said:
“I am honored that Catholics for Choice can support the courageous leadership of pro-choice elected officials like Rep. Rosa DeLauro and the 30 other members of Congress who signed on to say that you can be pro-choice and Catholic working in public life. By being both Catholic and ardent defenders of abortion access, these elected officials are truly following their personal conscience and ‘creating a more just America and world.’”
Catholics for Choice shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to a person’s well-being and respect, and affirm the capacity of all people to make moral decisions about their lives.
