DECLINE TO SIGN

PETITIONS FOR

DANGEROUS PRO-ABORTION BALLOT INITIATIVE

 

Statement from the

Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops.

July 20, 2023

 

An extremely grave initiative is underway in Florida that seeks to erase pro-life protections by banning government regulation of abortion in our state constitution. A network of abortion activists is working to gather petition signatures to have a pro-abortion constitutional amendment placed on the statewide ballot in the November 2024 election. In order to do so, they need nearly 900,000 signatures and are working right now in communities across Florida to collect them. 

 

This amendment is deeply concerning because it will allow all abortions to be obtained until viability and includes a broad "health" loophole, essentially allowing abortion on demand up to birth. The amendment would hinder the Florida legislature’s ability to protect women and children from abortion. It could also nullify current laws requiring parental consent before minors obtain abortions and a 24-hour waiting period prior to abortions, as well as the 15-week and 6-week abortion laws recently passed by the legislature. 

Floridians should not sign the petition. Declining to sign is not impeding the democratic process; it is taking a stand against what would be a terrible state policy. The FCCB is following developments in the initiative process closely and diligently preparing to help defeat it. Continue your prayers for the protection of the unborn and spread the word to your spheres of influence.

Thank you for helping to protect and respect all human life, especially the most vulnerable. 

 

The Bishops of Florida

Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski
Archdiocese of Miami

 

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito
Diocese of Palm Beach

 

Bishop John G. Noonan
Diocese of Orlando

 

Bishop Frank J. Dewane
Diocese of Venice

 

Bishop Gregory L. Parkes
Diocese of St. Petersburg

 

Bishop William A. Wack CSC
Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee

 

Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier
Diocese of St. Augustine

 

Bishop Enrique E. Delgado
Archdiocese of Miami

 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FULL TEXT

 

Ballot Title:  Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion

 

Ballot Summary:  No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.  This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.

 

Article and Section Being Created or Amended:  Creates – Article 1, New Section

 

Full Text of the proposed Amendment:  New Section, Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.

 

Limiting Government Interference with Abortion. – Except as provided in Article X, Section 22, no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.