NYS Catholic Conference Action Center
New York State Bishops Release Major New Statement on Abortion
The Catholic Bishops of New York State have released a major new statement on abortion as they anticipate the looming Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, and “the gathering societal unrest over the issue of abortion.” (The full statement is available here https://www.nyscatholic.org/nys-bishops-prolife/ and in a printable PDF found here https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:722ad4c1-bf4c-3661-b1bd-6175cd006b00
Advocacy in the Palm of Your Hand
You now have the tools to make your voice heard to your elected officials right in the palm of your hand. The Catholic Action Network (CAN) can text critical advocacy alerts directly to your smartphone, with links to quickly send messages to your elected officials on urgent issues of the day. To sign up, just text the word CAN to 50457. You’ll immediately receive a one-time link to complete your registration, which is free. Please consider signing up today.
ACTION ALERT!New Laws in New York State Threaten Human Life and Dignity
May 2020
At the same time that this pandemic crisis is whirling around us, it is important not to become so distracted so as to ignore the world that continues “in the background.” For example, the New York State budget passed on April 3 included a measure to legalize commercial gestational surrogacy. This was a high priority advocated by the governor despite strong opposition by the New York State Catholic Conference. The law allows monetary compensation for a woman to carry a pregnancy intended for another couple — essentially, a mother’s womb may now be rented in New York... Please read more on this issue and others from our Diocesan Office of Human Life, Family and Bioethics
Catholics Urged To Sign Petition To Keep Hyde Amendment's Protections Against Taxpayer-Funded Abortions
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Diocesan Respect Life coordinators and the Pro-Life Secretariat of the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops are encouraging Catholics to speak out against the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, legislation which bans federal Medicaid funding of abortions.
The Hyde Amendment, which first became law in 1976, prohibits use of federal Medicaid dollars for abortion except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the woman would be endangered.
As the amendment faces an uncertain future, the USCCB's Pro-Life Secretariat is encouraging Catholics to sign the petition asking members of Congress to oppose the Hyde Amendment's repeal at https://www.notaxpayerabortion.com/.
The petition urges members of Congress "to ensure that the Hyde Amendment and all similar life-saving appropriations riders remain in place during the 117th Congress and beyond." "Do not force Americans to subsidize the taking of innocent life," it adds, urging Congress to "oppose any bill, including any appropriations bill, that expands taxpayer funding of abortion."
Take action on legislative issues through The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA)
Support Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers
Legislation designed to intimidate and silence pro-life pregnancy centers has passed through a Senate Committee and can be voted on by the full Senate at any time. The bill, S.2264 (Senator Hoylman) / A.2352 (Assembly Member Glick), would force pregnancy centers to disclose to prospective clients the services they do not provide (i.e. abortion), or face stiff penalties. This legislation is unnecessary, as it seeks to address a problem that does not exist, and discriminatory, as it seeks to silence all pro-life speech and actions, leaving pregnant women with only the "choice" of abortion. Please urge your lawmakers to oppose this bill.
Bishops urge Senate vote and passage of Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
On February 4, the U.S. Senate failed to adopt by unanimous consent the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act -- legislation that would ensure that a child born alive during or following an abortion attempt would receive the same degree of care to preserve her life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (BAASPA) insists that doctors must provide the same care as he/she would for any other child born at that same gestational age if an abortion had not been attempted. It also requires the newborn to be immediately transferred to a hospital, thus ensuring the baby is provided with appropriate neonatal care outside the influence of the provider who was paid to end his/her life.
While surviving an abortion is rare, survivors have poignantly told their stories before Congress and urged lawmakers to take a greater interest in protecting other children who are at risk of being killed or allowed to die because they were intended to be aborted. For more information visit usccb.org or www.babiesbornalive.com
Physician-Assisted Suicide
In an important pro-life victory, advocates for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide failed to get a vote on the bill in any committee in either house, despite Gov. Cuomo indicating his support for the first time. The Conference, and our allies in the NY Alliance Against Assisted Suicide, were successful in highlighting the many dangerous consequences of such a policy. Interestingly, both houses passed a number of bills designed to prevent suicide for specific vulnerable populations, such as black and Latina youth, people living in rural areas, veterans, etc.
Restrict State Funding of Abortion
Abolish the Death Penalty in NYS
Ensure Informed Consent
Fairness for Human Service Providers
Promote and Support Adoption