On S49/A6260, Legislation that would Codify Abortion Rights into State Law
The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey join to express our strongest opposition to S49/A6260. This harmful legislation would: codify into state law an individual’s right to an abortion; including late-term abortions; potentially violate the religious freedom of healthcare workers and hospitals; and require private businesses to expand group health coverage to include abortion services.
We hold all human life sacred, including the unborn, and we strenuously oppose any effort that seeks to make abortion services more accessible – – expressly this effort that is being rushed through the legislative process at the conclusion of this session.
We realize the financial, emotional, and physical toll an unexpected pregnancy can have on a mother. We are sympathetic toward all mothers who feel helpless and alone, which is why the Catholic Church has a long tradition of offering alternatives to abortion. Through Catholic agencies, charities, parishes, and other organizations, mothers seeking abortion alternatives can access life-affirming health and prenatal care, emotional support, assistance in bearing and raising her child, and basic needs such as housing, food, and clothing.
Abortion is a direct attack on life itself. As such, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey urge Catholics and people of good will to reject this bill seeking to expand abortion services and to contact your state legislators to express your staunch opposition to its passage.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop, Archdiocese of Newark
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., Bishop, Diocese of Trenton
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, Bishop, Diocese of Camden
Most Rev. Kevin J. Sweeney, Bishop of Paterson
Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Bishop, Diocese of Metuchen
Most Reverend Kurt Burnette, Bishop, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic
Most Reverend Yousif B. Habash, Bishop, Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese
On Thursday, January 6, 2022, the New Jersey Legislature advanced S49/A6260, legislation similar to the proposed S3030/A4848 “Reproductive Freedom Act.” This new legislation would codify in state law the right to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. The bill will be voted on by the full Senate and Assembly on this coming Monday, January lOth.
Please go to our Diocesan website or the NJCC website to learn more about this proposed legislation that denies all rights of a child in the womb and please contact your Senate and Assembly representatives encouraging them to oppose and vote against this bill.
On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, let us recall that both John and Jesus were unborn children in their mother’s womb when Mary visited Elizabeth and heard the words, “Blessed are you among women and Blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
If you have not yet contacted your legislators to ask them to vote NO on this harmful legislation, click HERE to access the NJCC Action Alert .
