In the United States, the tragically pervasive acceptance of abortion has resulted in more than 62 million abortions since Roe v. Wade. Still, today the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impose abortion on demand nationwide—and thus double down on daily murder of the defenseless—by passing the false and deceptively named “Women’s Health Protection Act.”

Let us be clear: Abortion harms women and ends the life of a child; it is not healthcare, and it protects no one. Health and protection are about healing, defending and saving lives, not destroying them.

The Act thwarts public opinion by eliminating widely supported pro-life laws at every level of government. It would force Americans to pay for abortions here and abroad with their tax dollars. It would impose abortion on demand nationwide at any stage of pregnancy. An action alert from the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops, which the Virginia Catholic Conference circulated, correctly called this legislation “the most radical abortion bill of all time.”

This radical legislation is co-sponsored by nine of Virginia’s thirteen members of Congress, including both senators. To each of them, I emphatically state: Reverse the extremely dangerous and deadly course you are charting. Do not proceed with this tragic bill in the Senate. Direct our government’s resources toward policies that support both mothers and their children.

During an in-flight press conference last week, Pope Francis stated, “Abortion is murder.” Accepting abortion, he said, “is accepting daily murder.”

Together, all of us, including our elected officials, must reject this attack on women’s health and the daily murder of defenseless human life and instead welcome, protect and defend life every day through the decisions we make and the lives we live.

en Español

Messages from Bishop Michael F. Burbidge