A Catholic organization has called on Massachusetts bishops to confront Governor Maura Healey after she signed a law removing previous restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks. This change makes Massachusetts the tenth state to allow the procedure up to birth.
The organization, CatholicVote, highlights the contradiction between Catholic virtues and the support for abortion rights. In an interview with Fox News Digital, CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt stated that this issue should prompt bishops to take a firm stance towards politicians like Healey.
CatholicVote is urging the bishops to assess if Healey, a Catholic, has automatically incurred excommunication under canon law and formally declare it. In a letter, Reinhardt described Healey’s actions as warranting formal discipline, labeling her as an “accomplice” under Catholic canon law.
The new law, signed by Healey in mid-August and set to become effective on November 8, allows abortions beyond previous restrictions based on professional judgment by physicians. This has reignited a debate over how Catholic leaders should respond to politicians supporting abortion rights.
Governor Healey recently celebrated the signing of the legislation alongside supporters at the Massachusetts State House. Despite repeated calls for consequences against Catholic politicians supporting abortion rights, formal discipline remains inconsistent according to CatholicVote.
Reinhardt argues that Catholic politicians often claim personal opposition to abortion while publicly supporting rights, which “gave cover for too many years.” A neonatologist expressed concerns over the law, describing the provision allowing procedures up to birth as “very disturbing.”
Bishop Robert Barron from Minnesota’s Diocese of Winona-Rochester condemned both the law and the celebration surrounding its signing. He criticized the provision allowing late-term abortions, describing it as violent and barbaric. Utah Senator Mike Lee echoed Barron’s sentiments in a social media post.
Barron’s statement has rekindled the conversation about whether Catholic bishops should move beyond criticism to impose consequences on politicians advocating abortion rights. Reinhardt noted that bishops bear the responsibility and that allowing such positions creates confusion among the faithful.
Reinhardt and Barron referenced former New York Governor Mario Cuomo’s 1984 speech at Notre Dame. Cuomo mentioned that Catholic politicians could accept the Church’s stance without enforcing it through law. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, however, barred Nancy Pelosi from receiving Holy Communion in 2022 due to her support for abortion rights.
Reinhardt emphasized that denying the Holy Sacrament is a disciplinary measure available to bishops who consider a politician’s stance as a state of grave sin. Fox News Digital reached out to Healey’s office and the Catholic bishops of Massachusetts for comment.