CatholicVote CEO weighs in as Virginia Catholics mobilize against pro-abortion amendment

CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt praised Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge’s direct opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment establishing abortion as a “fundamental right,” as Virginia’s nearly 700,000 Catholics emerge as a key constituency in the state’s Nov. 3 election.

“Abortion is already legal in Virginia. That single fact tells you everything you need to know about what this amendment is actually for,” Reinhardt told the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF). “This is not about access. It is about permanence and about power.”

Virginia has about 693,300 Catholics registered with its parishes, representing about 8.3% of the state’s population, according to data from the Virginia Catholic Conference cited by the DCNF.

In recent weeks, the state’s Catholic bishops have launched a direct campaign urging the faithful to reject two measures on the Nov. 3 ballot: Question 1, which would add a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom” to the state constitution, and Question 2, which would remove the state constitution’s definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington and Bishop Barry Knestout of Richmond have urged Catholics to vote no on both measures in a joint letter issued in August, warning that the amendments would have “far-reaching consequences.” 

Bishop Burbidge later directed that a separate letter opposing both amendments be read at every Mass in the Arlington Diocese, which serves more than 464,000 registered Catholics across 69 parishes in northern Virginia. 

>> Virginia bishop asks every priest in diocese to read letter at Mass urging Catholics to reject ‘dangerous’ amendments <<

Reinhardt applauded Bishop Burbidge for his leadership, telling the DCNF that “there is a difference between a bishop who issues statements and a bishop who leads,” and “Bishop Burbidge is leading.” 

“Having his letter read at every Mass across the diocese was not a symbolic gesture,” she said. “That kind of directness is rare.”

Parishes in the Arlington diocese have also organized voter registration drives as part of the campaign, according to the diocese’s website. 

Political strategist Jimmy Keady said religious communities could influence the election if they turn their opposition into voter turnout, telling the DCNF that Democrats should not “underestimate the ability of people of faith to organize and make a difference.”

“Throughout history, churches and faith communities have played an important role in mobilizing voters and citizens around issues they believe deeply in,” he said, according to the outlet. “When people feel strongly about an issue, they can be incredibly dedicated and effective at getting their communities engaged.”

Early in-person voting began Sept. 18 and continues through Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 3.