(ZENIT News / Washington, D.C., 24.10.2-24).- As the elections approach, so do the citizens’ decisive consultations for the debate on abortion in the United States. In that context, the Catholic Bishops adjusted their strategy given the apparent resignation that they could lose in the majority of the States that will vote on the issue. In 2024, ten States will have measures in the ballot boxes to protect the right of abortion, a figure that exceeds the 2022 efforts , when six States voted and, in all cases, the voters were in favour of abortion.
Although in the past the Bishops and the Dioceses contributed significant resources to confront these initiatives, in 2024 the Church’s financial contributions diminished considerably. Up to now, the Catholic Dioceses have raised approximately one million dollars in total, barely a third of what the Archdiocese of Kansas invested in 2022, to try to approve a measure that was finally rejected. In Ohio, the State’s Catholic Conference also experienced defeat after investing US$1.7 million in a campaign against a pro-abortion measure that voters supported. Given these antecedents, in many States the Prelates are being more cautious and realistic about their probabilities of success.
Florida is an outstanding case as it is the only State where the Bishops have invested significantly, almost one million dollars, in a coordinated effort to oppose Amendment 4. However, in other key States, such as Arizona, Nevada, and Maryland, where polls suggest strong support for the right to abortion, the Bishops have either reduced their economic contributions or opted for alternative methods of influence. For instance, in Nevada, the Archdiocese of Las Vegas produced a video against the pro-abortion measure and exhibited it in all its parishes, whereas in Missouri, the faithful were asked to pray and fast as part of a spiritual campaign of opposition.
A notable difference this year is the change of focus in the narrative. Instead of focusing on traditional arguments of the Catechism, the Bishops have begun to highlight other specific aspects of the local initiatives, labelling them as “deceitful” and “extreme” in their consequences, particularly for women’s health and safety. This is part of an effort to connect with Catholics that, according to Pew’s 2023 poll, 61% support the right to abortion in the majority of cases.
Moreover, in an attempt to maximize their influence, some ecclesial leaders have established alliances with other religious denominations. In Nevada, Archbishop George Leo Thomas of Las Vegas has called for an inter-religious coalition with Evangelical and Mormon groups to create a more solid opposition to the initiative. “I have no problem facing difficult debates, but it’s crucial to have partners in this fight,” said Archbishop Thomas, betting on the strength of a united front to have an impact on the electorate.
These efforts notwithstanding, the Bishops acknowledge the difficulty of the challenge. Jamie Morris, of Missouri’s Catholic Conference, admitted that the pro-life community has not had success recently in the ballot box. Even so, the Prelates continue exploring various tactics, including support to legal actions. In Missouri and Nebraska, Catholic groups supported the intervention of the Thomas More Society, a Catholic legal group, in lawsuits to prevent certain pro-abortion measures from reaching the ballot, although both actions failed.
The tone of this new campaign reflects a less combative but more strategic focus, which recognizes the complexities of the debate on abortion in present-day American society and adapts to a reality where support for this right is increasingly common, including in the Catholic community.
