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Vote NO on the abortion
expansion amendmentEvery parish in Ohio is asked to unite in prayer, distribute educational materials, and encourage voter registration to
Vote NO on the abortion expansion amendment. -
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What you need to know
The ballot initiative, if voted in, would remove the basic rights of parents. Parents would no longer need to be informed or provide consent for their underage daughter to undergo an abortion. The amendment language clearly forbids any law that "directly or indirectly" would "burden" or "interfere" with any "reproductive decisions." Those are specific legal terms which have been interpreted by courts across the country to strike down parental notification & consent laws. The amendment also explicity protects 3rd parties who "assist" in procuring an abortion for underage girls.
The full text of the ballot measure is available here. See below for a translation.
Click here to see what this ballot initiative will actually look like when you vote this November.
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Join us in praying a 54-Day Rosary Novena beginning Friday, Sept. 15, for respect for the dignity of life and the defeat of this amendment. Our Eparchy is on the drop down when you sign up!
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A message from Bishop Edward C. Malesic
Bishop Edward Malesic, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, is asking Catholics to carefully consider how they will vote on the amendment that will expand and enshrine abortion in Ohio’s constitution. Watch a special message from the Bishop here.
Click here for more information on How to Vote as a Catholic.
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Respect Life Month is observed throughout October every year.
As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning to the end of their lives, and at every point in between.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) encourages Catholics to participate in various activities during the month of October, such as praying a novena, attending Mass, and participating in pro-life events.
“Radical solidarity compels us to come alongside vulnerable mothers in profound friendship, compassion, and support for both them and their preborn children. It requires us to address the fundamental challenges that lead an expectant mother to believe she is unable to welcome the child God has entrusted to her. We must do all we can to provide mothers, children, and families with the support they need to flourish. This cannot be accomplished by laws or policy alone but requires the continual transformation of our own hearts.”~USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, Respect Life Reflection: “Radical Solidarity”
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How you can help
Pray: Daily, commit to pray at 7:14am and 7:14pm in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14 which states: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Volunteer: Visit https://protectwomenohio.com or your local pro-life organization and sign up to defend the Constitution and preborn children in Ohio.
Donate: To compete in a state like Ohio, millions of dollars need to be raised for the campaign and paid advertising. Consider donating at https://protectwomenohio/donate or your favorite pro-life organization.
Educate: Start locally by informing your priest and church about the upcoming ballot initiative. Recruit volunteers to help in the cause!
Unfortunately, we have seen these types of initiatives be successful in other states in our Eparchy, such as Michigan and Kansas. As faithful Byzantine Catholics, we cannot let this happen in another state. Even if you don’t live in the state of Ohio, you can help defeat this initiative through prayer, donations, and education of your friends and family who do live in Ohio. Statistics show that many Christians do not vote. This initiative is not a political issue but a moral issue and if it makes it to the Ohio ballot in November, all Christians, especially we as Byzantine Catholics, have a duty to vote “NO” against this initiative. This initiative violates the human dignity of mothers and babies; please inform your friends and family about the gravity of this initiative.Click here for more pro-life resources!
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