Missouri Catholic Conference opposes legislation to criminalize women who have an abortion
The Missouri Catholic Conference, public-policy agency of the state’s four Roman Catholic dioceses, released the following statement on Dec. 21, 2023, in anticipation of the start of the Missouri General Assembly’s 2024 Legislative Session:
The Catholic Church has consistently been at the forefront of efforts to safeguard the fundamental principle of the right to life.
Through its ministries and advocacy, the Church supports efforts to protect the unborn and to address the underlying social causes for abortion by expanding care and resources available to mothers.
For those women suffering from the pain of an abortion, the Church offers healing and hope through its Project Rachel Ministries.
Legal efforts to punish women after an abortion are inconsistent with these fundamental principles and with the history of the pro-life movement.
The Missouri Catholic Conference opposes any legislation that would seek to criminalize the mother.
We respectfully ask members of the General Assembly to oppose such measures and to work on legislation that provides life-affirming resources for women and children.
