June 24, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs ushers in a new abortion landscape.
Voters urged to pass VALUE THEM BOTH Amendment
to help Kansas escape a dark future as abortion destination of the Midwest.

“Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord.” Isaiah 1:18

Today the United States Supreme Court issued its widely anticipated ruling in the case Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning the infamous Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion throughout America.

“Along with all of the Kansas Catholic Bishops, I am grateful for the United States Supreme Court Dobbs for the decision,” said Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“This ruling rectifies the error the Supreme Court made almost 50 years ago when it usurped the right of the people to protect preborn babies and their mothers from the tragedy that results from each and every abortion.

Today’s decision restores the power of citizens, through their duly elected members of State legislatures, to determine public policy regarding the protection of human life.

For Kansans, the decision underscores the urgency and necessity of passing the Value Them Both Amendment on August 2 that will allow the people of Kansas to better protect women and preborn babies from the predatory abortion industry. 

 

The Value Them Both amendment is necessary after the Kansas Supreme Court declared abortion to be a virtually unlimited and unregulated right. This legal reality—no matter how welcome today’s decision might be—cannot be overturned by the United States Supreme Court.

In a cruel and ironic twist, Kansans now find themselves in the unenviable position of facing an even more ominous future with the specter of unlimited, late-term, and taxpayer-funded abortions.”

The Kansas Catholic Bishops noted that elements of that dark future are already emerging. Just three years after the Kansas Supreme Court’s shocking 2019 ruling in Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt, abortions in Kansas are surging.  According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas has experienced a:

  • 13% increase in the overall annual number of abortions.
  • 17% increase in live dismemberment abortions.
  • 16% increasein abortions performed on out-of-state residents.

Despite today’s welcome U.S. Supreme court ruling, Kansas will be unable to adequately provide protections to women or preborn babies unless the Value Them Both amendment is approved.

“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision further sets up a potential nightmare scenario for Kansas,” declared Lucrecia Nold, Public Policy Specialist for the Kansas Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Catholic Church in Kansas.

“By overturning Roe, Kansas is now first in line among all the states in this new abortion landscape.  We are positioned directly in the path of a horrific cultural storm threatening to usher in a dark and deadly future with Kansas growing as an abortion destination.”

“Kansas Catholics do not want our state to become the abortion factory of the Midwest,” continued Ms. Nold.  “We want to protect women and their preborn children. We urge all Kansans who value both women and babies to vote YES on August 2.”

Archbishop Naumann concluded: “The Catholic community is resolute in our commitment to build a culture of life and a civilization of love, where every human life is cherished and those experiencing a difficult pregnancy are surrounded by a loving community that provides encouragement and practical support.”

 

 

Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas

 

 

Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme
Bishop of Wichita, Kansas

 

 

Most Reverend John B. Brungardt
Bishop of Dodge City, Kansas

 

 

Most Reverend Gerald L. Vincke
Bishop of Salina, Kansas

 

 

Related: Archbishop Naumann’s Statement

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