An unprecedented leak of a draft opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court took place suggesting that the court may overturn Roe v. Wade, a 1973 decision that broadly legalized abortion in the United States. Overturning this decision and returning jurisdiction over abortion to the states has been a goal of its opponents for nearly 50 years.
Even though U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts has acknowledged that the leaked draft is authentic, it is important to remember that it is still a draft and not yet an official opinion of the Supreme Court. The court is expected to release its final opinion in late June or early July in the case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which challenges the constitutionality of a law Mississippi adopted in 2018 that bans most abortion operations after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy.
In reaction to the draft opinion, supporters of abortion rights in California, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, have proposed more than 20 pieces of legislation, including an amendment to the state constitution that would make abortion a constitutional right in the state.
Below is a statement released by the California Catholic Conference on behalf of Bishop Robert McElroy, of the San Diego Diocese, and all 12 California bishops acknowledging the leak and asking Catholics and others concerned about the sanctity of life to oppose amending the state constitution to create any right to abortion.
Check this space regularly for updates and additional information on how you can help.The leak of the draft Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs case triggered the governor and California legislative leadership to announce its intent to create a California constitutional amendment to protect the right to abortion. This will destroy lives, families, and significantly limit the ability of the Catholic Church in California to protect the unborn.
This is the moment for the Church and its 12 million Catholics to engage with their communities, actively and publicly oppose this amendment, and fulfill our baptismal responsibility to protect life at every stage, and at every opportunity.