The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released a response to the Renewed Statement of Principles, recently released by 31 Catholic members of Congress.
The USCCB decried renewed efforts supporting abortion in the name of faith:
“Members of Congress who recently invoked teachings of the Catholic faith itself as justifying abortion or supporting a supposed right to abortion grievously distort the faith. It is wrong and incoherent to claim that the taking of innocent human life at its most vulnerable stage can ever be consistent with the values of supporting the dignity and well-being of those in need. ‘Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception,’ including through the civil law [Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2270, 2273]. Abortion violates this with respect to preborn children and brings untold suffering to countless women.”
The document in question was signed by Democratic leaders on the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court ruling which overturned the Roe v. Wade decision.
It stated, “We recognize that bans and restrictions on abortion disproportionately harm those who already endure poverty, discrimination, and racism. Our values demand that we dismantle economic insecurity, gender inequality, and systemic racism. “
The Renewed Statement of Principles had also noted the importance of using one’s individual conscience to support abortion stating, “The role of informed conscience is at the very core of our faith.”
“We regard conscience as both a sacred gift and a responsibility: we are called to follow our conscience,” they added.
The USCCB objected to this by concluding, “conscience is not a license to commit evil and take innocent lives. Conscience cannot and does not justify the act or support of abortion.”
They added, “Moreover, the reality that the preborn are our living sisters and brothers is not only a matter of faith, but is attested to by science and sound reason.”