Statement from the Kansas bishops
June 24, 2022
“Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord.” Isaiah 1:18
Today the United States Supreme Court issued its widely anticipated ruling in the case Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning the infamous Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion throughout America.
“Along with all of the Kansas Catholic Bishops, I am grateful for the United States Supreme Court Dobbs for the decision,” said Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
“This ruling rectifies the error the Supreme Court made almost 50 years ago when it usurped the right of the people to protect preborn babies and their mothers from the tragedy that results from each and every abortion.
Today’s decision restores the power of citizens, through their duly elected members of State legislatures, to determine public policy regarding the protection of human life.
For Kansans, the decision underscores the urgency and necessity of passing the Value Them Both Amendment on August 2 that will allow the people of Kansas to better protect women and preborn babies from the predatory abortion industry.
The Value Them Both amendment is necessary after the Kansas Supreme Court declared abortion to be a virtually unlimited and unregulated right. This legal reality — no matter how welcome today’s decision might be — cannot be overturned by the United States Supreme Court.
In a cruel and ironic twist, Kansans now find themselves in the unenviable position of facing an even more ominous future with the specter of unlimited, late-term, and taxpayer-funded abortions.”
The Kansas Catholic Bishops noted that elements of that dark future are already emerging. Just three years after the Kansas Supreme Court’s shocking 2019 ruling in Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt, abortions in Kansas are surging. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas has experienced a:
- 13% increase in the overall annual number of abortions.
- 17% increase in live dismemberment abortions.
- 16% increase in abortions performed on out-of-state residents.
Despite today’s welcome U.S. Supreme court ruling, Kansas will be unable to adequately provide protections to women or preborn babies unless the Value Them Both amendment is approved.
“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision further sets up a potential nightmare scenario for Kansas,” declared Lucrecia Nold, Public Policy Specialist for the Kansas Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Catholic Church in Kansas.
“By overturning Roe, Kansas is now first in line among all the states in this new abortion landscape. We are positioned directly in the path of a horrific cultural storm threatening to usher in a dark and deadly future with Kansas growing as an abortion destination.”
“Kansas Catholics do not want our state to become the abortion factory of the Midwest,” continued Ms. Nold. “We want to protect women and their preborn children. We urge all Kansans who value both women and babies to vote YES on August 2.”
Archbishop Naumann concluded: “The Catholic community is resolute in our commitment to build a culture of life and a civilization of love, where every human life is cherished and those experiencing a difficult pregnancy are surrounded by a loving community that provides encouragement and practical support.”
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
Most Reverend John B. Brungardt, Bishop of Dodge City, Kansas
Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme, Bishop of Wichita
Most Reverend Gerald L. Vincke, Bishop of Salina, Kansas
Would the Archbishop be at willing to say a prayer for all the women who are going to die as a direct result of the political action he has directly advocated for nonstop? What about the rape victims who are going to be forced by law to carry their rapists baby? Would he offer any condolences at all? When people say “Value them Both”, how are women in these situations shown any value at all by a ban? I see only imaginary support for the victims of this proposed ban and invoking God to justify this without any evidence whatsoever is the work of a con man.
Don’t forget about the medically necessary abortions such as ectopic pregnancy. Does the bishop not realize that a miscarriage is considered a spontaneous abortion. Will women face jail time for that? No one should have the right to allow religion to make decisions about my body
Have you taken anytime to actually look into what support is there that you deem is “imaginary support”?