by Chuck Weber
Kansas Catholics face a defining, once- in-a-generation moment. How will we respond?
Preborn babies and mothers in crisis are confronting new and ominous dangers resulting from the landmark Kansas Supreme Court ruling on abortion.
The case Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt generated some news coverage last April, with precious little reported since then.
The impact of this ruling is nothing short of horrific. In a stunning development, abortion is now a new “natural right” in our 160-year-old Kansas Constitution. The Sunflower State ranks with New York as among the most pro-abortion in America.
The legal door is open to teenage girls seeking an abortion without parental knowledge or consent, partial-birth abortions and government-funded abortions.
Gruesome live dismemberment abortions continue unabated in Kansas, thanks to the court’s decision.
On average, the lives of a dozen preborn, second-trimester babies die this way each week within our borders.
The Kansas abortion industry is now virtually unregulated. A Gallup poll (from May) shows that even the “pro-choice” people believe there should be at least some limits to abortion. They are telling us the ruling went too far. We agree.
The legislative process and ‘Reverse the Ruling’ petition
Legal experts say the only practical solution to this injustice is passage of a state constitutional amendment that reverses the ruling.
Specific language of the amendment is a work in progress, but it will be short and simple. Once passed, it will again allow enforcement of reasonable Kansas abortion laws, regulation of clinics and safeguarding the health of mothers.
Adding an amendment to the Kansas Constitution has happened 97 times in the history of our state. It is a two-step process.
Step one requires that the Legislature vote to approve language of the amendment by a two-thirds vote in both the Kansas House and Senate.
After approval, step two places the question on the ballot for the people of Kansas to decide by a simple majority during an upcoming statewide election.
Your role in step one is respectfully informing your elected officials — state representatives and senators — that you support this constitutional amendment and you want them to support it.
One of the most effective ways we can do this is through the “Reverse the Ruling” petition.
Respect life leaders in parishes are working with the Knights of Columbus to circulate and gather signatures for the “Reverse the Ruling” petition.
Petitions on clipboards and petition postcards featuring a quote from Mother Teresa are now being distributed.
Sign it online at: www.KansasCatholic.org. Our goal is as many signatures as possible before Thanksgiving weekend as we prepare for the 2020 legislative session.Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the preborn, pray for us!
