Category Archives: News Releases and Statements

A statement of the Catholic Bishops of New York State

“Proposal 1: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing“ (September 5, 2024)
A statement from  His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York; Most Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany; Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn; Most Rev. Michael W. Fisher, Bishop of Buffalo; Most Rev. Terry R. LaValley, Bishop of Ogdensburg; Most Rev. Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Rochester; Most Rev. John O. Barres, Bishop of Rockville Centre; Most Rev. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, Bishop of Syracuse; and the auxiliary and emeritus Bishops of New York State.

USCCB Statement on 2nd Year Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

June 24, 2024, marks the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, that brought an end to the nearly fifty-year reign of Roe v. Wade and national abortion on demand. Pro-Life Committee Chairman, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, shares this statement available in both English & Spanish.

USCCB IS CALLING FOR A NATIONWIDE INVITATION TO PRAYER BEGINNING MARCH 25

The USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities is inviting Catholics to join a Nationwide Invitation to Prayer for a focused effort for the end of abortion and for the protection of women and preborn children, to St. Joseph, Defender of Life beginning on March 25.

On March 26, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case that has the potential to make a major impact in the widespread accessibility of chemical abortion (abortion pills). Chemical abortions are now the most common form of abortion in the United States.

Read more about is Invitation to Prayer and share it with others:

U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Asks for “Radical Solidarity” with Mothers in Respect Life Month Statement

Since 1973, the Catholic Church in the United States has observed October as “Respect Life Month.” This year, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities invites Catholics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Respect Life Month by embracing “radical solidarity” with women facing difficult or challenging pregnancies.

Read Bishop Burbidge’s full statement, “Living Radical Solidarity” here.

U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Commends House for Passing “Born Alive” Bill

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives voted 220 to 210 today to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 26). “We commend the House of Representatives for passing legislation to protect innocent children from infanticide, and urge the Senate to follow suit,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities. “Babies who are born alive during the process of an abortion deserve compassionate care and medical attention – just the same as any other newborn baby.”

H.R. 26 would require health care providers to give children born alive after an attempted abortion the same medical care that they would for any child born at that same gestational age and to transport them to a hospital. On Tuesday, Bishop Burbidge sent a letter to members of the House urging them to vote for the bill. His letter and other resources may be found at: https://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/born-alive-bill.cfm

U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Denounces FDA Action on Chemical Abortion Pill

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the loosening of safety requirements to allow retail pharmacies, through a simple certification process, to distribute the chemical abortion drug, mifepristone (previously commonly known as RU-486), by prescription. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued the following statement in response:

“The Catholic Church is consistent in its teaching on upholding the dignity of all life, and that must include care for both women and their children. We decry the continuing push for the destruction of innocent human lives and the loosening of vital safety standards for vulnerable women. This week’s action by the FDA not only advances the obvious tragedy of taking the lives of the preborn, but is also harmful to women in need.

“The rate of serious complications after chemical abortion is considerably higher than after surgical abortion. Overturning the safety protocols around abortion-causing drugs to effectively make them available on demand at pharmacies, requiring no in-person medical supervision, facilitates the isolation of critically vulnerable pregnant women, and invites more risk, pain, and trauma. It may also result in new violations of conscience for pharmacy workers who cannot dispense such drugs. The FDA should protect the life and health of both mothers and children, not loosen safety standards under industry or political pressures. We call on the Administration to correct its policy priorities and stand with mothers in need. They deserve better.”

Read this and other statements from the USCCB here.

Act Now! Tell the Federal Government to Do No Harm to Catholic Health Care Ministries

The Church’s ministries of healing, education, and social services bear witness to Jesus Christ and build up the common good. Church institutions are not mere providers of so-cial services. They are expressions of Christian ministry dedicated to human flourishing. We serve all people, without regard to race, sex, religion, or any other status, because God has imbued every person with inherent human dignity. Most Americans understand that mission-driven organizations should be free to operate in accordance with their missions. But a recent rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser-vices (HHS) would prevent Catholic hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, and health care workers from carrying out their work. HHS needs to hear your opinion by October 3rd! Click here to read the full statement and visit www.usccb.org/do-no-harm to learn more.