St Mary Fred

Bishop Burbidge responds to Governor Northam’s extreme abortion comments

January 31, 2019 St Mary Fred

From Most Reverend Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington:

Since the beginning of the Virginia General Assembly session on January 9, we have witnessed the introduction of extreme abortion legislation culminating in an attempt to pass a law similar to what New York recently passed. This bill rightfully failed—but I am, along with so many people of good will, distraught that this bill was introduced in the first place. It could have paved the way for babies to suffer a violent and gruesome death moments before birth and could have been harmful to women.

My hope is that this bill failed because the elected officials of the state legislature recognized that it was an evil and impermissible offense to human life and our collective decency. Abortion of a baby in the final stage of pregnancy borders on infanticide. Our governor, however, may be willing to cross that border and go even farther. In a staggering admission, Governor Northam stated that after an infant is delivered, the mother and the family should keep the baby comfortable, resuscitate the child “if that’s what the mother and the family desired,” and “a discussion would ensue.” This attitude—and the bill that was defeated this week—reflects a new level of deep-rooted animus against the inherent goodness of every child. The governor’s statement and this bill demonstrate how far abortion advocates are willing to go in taking the life of a precious child.

This is a critical moment in the life of our Church and our society. I call on the faithful and people of good will to advocate for the right to life of all people, including the unborn and those children whose lives are at risk even during the process of birth. In Virginia, with the assistance of the Virginia Catholic Conference, we must make our views known to our elected officials on all issues where the right to life is at stake.

Through the Diocese of Arlington, we continue to offer assistance to expectant families in need and those who are suffering after an abortion. Families who need help should contact the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life: arlingtondiocese.org

To learn more about the failed abortion legislation as well as other extreme public policy proposals before the Virginia General Assembly, read the most recent VoterVoice Post (published 1/30/19) by Jeff Caruso, Executive Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference: https://vacatholic.org/votervoice-post/?vvid=1123

Join the Virginia Catholic Conference!

January 31, 2019 St Mary Fred

In late 2004, Virginia’s Catholic bishops founded the Virginia Catholic Conference to represent them and their dioceses of Arlington and Richmond by advocating for public policy that reflects natural law, advances human dignity and serves the common good. The Conference primarily addresses policy issues considered by the Virginia General Assembly and state agencies. In addition, the Conference supports the efforts of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which addresses federal policy issues considered by the U.S. Congress and executive branch in Washington, D.C.

What We Do

Led by Diocese of Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Diocese of Richmond Bishop Barry C. Knestout, the Conference advocates for:

Respect life initiatives that protect human life and dignity in every stage of development and circumstance, from conception until natural death.

Social justice initiatives that protect the rights and serve the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable members of the human family, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees.

Family life and education initiatives that preserve and support religious liberty, the institution of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, the family and parental choice in their children’s education.

How We Do It

The Conference advocates by:

Building and maintaining relationships with state and federal lawmakers, as well as other advocacy organizations with shared interests.

Supporting diocesan efforts by providing resources that apply Church teaching to current issues.

Promoting grassroots and grasstops advocacy among Catholics and other people of goodwill. This includes using the VCC email advocacy network and in-person advocacy, such as visits to legislators’ district or capital city offices.