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

Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington reportedly directed every priest in his diocese to read a letter at Mass over the weekend urging Catholics to vote against two proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution that he warned would undermine protections for unborn life and the Church’s teaching on marriage.

Bishop Burbidge said he had never before asked every priest in the diocese to take such a step, according to the Daily Signal. The diocese serves more than 430,000 Catholics across about 70 parishes in northern Virginia.

In the letter, the bishop urged Catholics to reject “two dangerous ballot initiatives”: Ballot Question 1, which would add a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom” to the state constitution, and Ballot Question 2, which would remove Virginia’s constitutional definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. 

“The Church boldly proclaims its ‘Yes!’ to the protection of the unborn and the sanctity of all human life,” Bishop Burbidge wrote. “For us to speak this Yes, we must together proclaim ‘no!’ to these radically unjust ballot initiatives, in fidelity to God and for the good of all in our society.”

He described Question 1 as “an extreme and vague change” that would create a right to “unregulated abortions, performed by unlicensed abortion practitioners at any time during pregnancy.”

As Zeale News previously reported, the amendment would allow for elective abortion until birth when a physician determines it would likely “protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual” or when the physician determines that the unborn child “is not viable.” 

“This threatens the health and safety of mothers and would allow for abortions targeting healthy babies all the way up to birth,” Bishop Burbidge wrote. 

He added that the amendment “extends this so-called right even to minors,” undermining parental-consent requirements on “life-altering and irreversible decisions.”

Virginia law currently generally allows abortion during the first and second trimesters and during the third trimester if three physicians certify that continuing the pregnancy would likely result in the woman’s death or “substantially and irremediably impair” her health.

“[W]hat is on the ballot this fall would expand abortion beyond what most citizens recognize as reasonable limits,” Bishop Burbidge wrote. “The proposed amendment is extreme. It is unnecessary. And it is wrong.”

Bishop Burbidge also called attention to Ballot Question 2, which he said would “remove from our state constitution the truth, as Jesus taught, that marriage is between one man and one woman.”

“It would also enshrine gender ideology by falsely separating the reality of one’s sex and gender, obscuring the truth that we are created in the image and likeness of God,” he wrote.

Bishop Burbidge stressed that the Church’s opposition to the measures stems from its moral teachings rather than support for a particular political party. 

“The Church is not partisan. The Church never advocates for or against specific candidates or parties,” he wrote. “At the same time, the Church, in fidelity to the Gospel and her mission, always speaks clearly, faithfully, and truthfully concerning matters of faith and morals in public life.”

Bishop Burbidge added that the amendments confront each Catholic with questions of “fundamental moral justice.”

He asked Catholics to pledge to vote by visiting CatholicsVoteNo.com, confirm their voter registration, make plans to cast their ballots, and encourage friends, relatives, and colleagues to oppose the amendments. He also urged them to vote early “to ensure nothing prevents you from casting your ballot” in the November election. 

The diocese will also hold a Holy Hour Sept. 15 at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More to pray for the upcoming election. 

“Our baptismal promises call us to fulfill our sacred duty to participate in public life with a prayerfully and factually informed conscience,” Bishop Burbidge concluded, adding, “Together, with God's grace, we can protect life, liberty, and the future of our Virginia home. Through the intercession of Mary our Mother, may our Lord Jesus bless, inspire, and guide you always.”

Early voting begins Sept. 18, ahead of the Nov. 3 Election Day deadline. 

The proposed amendments have drawn opposition from several Catholics, including Richmond Bishop Barry Knestout, who issued an August warning about the abortion measure. 

>> Legal scholar warns Virginia abortion amendment is ‘extreme and deceptive’ <<