Simone Lawson
Missouri's Catholic bishops have historically urged Catholics to vote against certain constitutional amendments, such as Amendment 3, which aimed to legalise recreational marijuana in the state. The bishops argued that Catholics should oppose the amendment because it would remove state prohibitions on the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacture, and sale of marijuana for adults over 21. Additionally, they opposed another constitutional amendment, also known as Amendment 3, which sought to enshrine the right to abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy. This amendment would also eliminate parental consent for minors seeking abortions and shield negligent healthcare providers from prosecution or lawsuits if they caused harm to individuals seeking reproductive care. While the Catholic Church provides moral guidance and encourages Catholics to vote according to their conscience, the ultimate decision on how to vote rests with individual Catholics, who may consider a variety of factors and their own personal beliefs when deciding how to cast their ballots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday (no year specified) |
| Nature of Amendment 3 | Pro-abortion |
| What it seeks to achieve | Enshrining a right to abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution |
| Additional provisions | Eliminating parental rights, allowing minors to have an abortion without their parents' consent or notification |
| Protection | Shielding negligent health care providers from prosecution or lawsuits if they harm individuals seeking reproductive care |
| Position of Missouri Bishops | Opposed to Amendment 3 |
| Position of Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski | Opposed to Amendment 3 |
| Position of Missouri's Catholic Bishops | Opposed to Amendment 3 |
| Position of Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) | Opposed to Amendment 3 |
| Missouri Catholic Conference's position on the result of Amendment 3 | Saddened that Missouri voters chose not to safeguard vulnerable women and children by voting for Amendment 3 |
| Missouri Catholic Conference's commitment | To continue advocating for policies that uphold the dignity of all human life, protect the vulnerable, and provide support for those in need |
| Missouri Catholic Conference's reaffirmation | To continue walking with mothers and fathers facing unforeseen pregnancies, along with parents facing hardship in their pregnancies |
| Missouri Catholic Conference's promise | To provide true hope and healing for those wounded by abortion |
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What You'll Learn
- Missouri Catholic Conference Bishops encourage a no vote
- Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski opposes Amendment 3
- Bishops urge Catholics to oppose Amendment 3
- The Catholic Church in Missouri will continue to advocate for policies that protect human life
- Bishops say Amendment 3 will remove state prohibitions on marijuana
Missouri Catholic Conference Bishops encourage a no vote
Missouri Catholic Conference Bishops have urged Catholics to vote 'no' on Amendment 3, which seeks to legalise recreational marijuana use in the state. In their official statement, the Bishops, including Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, called on Catholics and "all persons of good will" to oppose the amendment.
Amendment 3 proposes to amend the Missouri Constitution to remove prohibitions on the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacture, and sale of marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of 21. It would also allow individuals with certain marijuana-related offences to petition for release from prison or parole and have their records expunged, and impose a 6% tax on the retail price of recreational marijuana.
The Bishops' statement highlights the potential negative consequences of legalising recreational marijuana and encourages Catholics to consider the impact on the community, especially the vulnerable. They emphasise the importance of upholding the dignity of human life and protecting those at risk.
Archbishop Rozanski, in a video statement, explained his opposition to Amendment 3, detailing how it contradicts the Catholic Church's teachings and values. The Bishops' stance aligns with the Church's consistent position on substance abuse and the importance of safeguarding public health and safety.
The Missouri Catholic Conference Bishops' encouragement for a "no" vote on Amendment 3 reflects their commitment to promoting policies that prioritise the common good and the well-being of all Missouri citizens, particularly the most vulnerable members of society.
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Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski opposes Amendment 3
Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski has publicly stated his opposition to Amendment 3, a proposed change to the Missouri Constitution. Amendment 3, if passed, would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, allowing abortion at any time during a pregnancy and eliminating the requirement for parental consent for minors seeking an abortion. Archbishop Rozanski, who leads the Archdiocese of St. Louis, has urged Catholics and all Missouri voters to join him in rejecting the amendment.
In a video statement, Archbishop Rozanski explained his position on Amendment 3, joining other Missouri bishops in encouraging voters to oppose it. The bishops' statement called Amendment 3 "a tragic step backward in our work to protect all human life at all stages." They argue that the amendment goes beyond just abortion rights, as it also removes parental rights and provides legal protection for negligent healthcare providers.
The proposed amendment has sparked debate among Missouri lawmakers, with Republicans and Democrats disagreeing over how far the changes should go. The amendment's inclusion on the ballot is a result of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans, who initially sought to prevent any constitutional changes related to abortion rights. The current political climate in Missouri is marked by infighting within the GOP, with some members aiming to increase the vote threshold for all constitutional amendments.
Archbishop Rozanski's stance aligns with the Catholic Church's consistent opposition to abortion. By speaking out against Amendment 3, he is encouraging Catholics in Missouri to consider the Church's teachings when casting their votes. The Archbishop's position carries significant weight within the Catholic community and is likely to influence the decisions of many Catholic voters in the state.
The opposition to Amendment 3 by Archbishop Rozanski and other Catholic leaders underscores their commitment to protecting life and their concerns about the potential implications of the amendment. Their public statements provide guidance to Catholics in Missouri, helping them navigate the ethical considerations surrounding abortion rights and shape the state's legal framework.
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Bishops urge Catholics to oppose Amendment 3
Missouri Catholic Conference and the Missouri Bishops have urged Catholics to oppose Amendment 3, which seeks to modify the state constitution to include an unlimited, new "super-right" called the "fundamental right to reproductive freedom". This amendment, if passed, would allow abortions throughout all nine months of pregnancy and would also eliminate parental rights, allowing minors to have abortions without their parents' consent or notification.
The Missouri Bishops have called the amendment "a tragic step backward in our work to protect all human life". Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, who has shared resources on Amendment 3 with priests of the archdiocese, has also said that he strongly opposes the amendment. He stated that the Church is speaking out on the issue "to look out for the common good of mothers and children".
The Bishops have reiterated their concern that Amendment 3 would effectively eliminate safety regulations for women seeking abortions, including the requirement that a medical doctor be required to perform abortions and that the parents of a minor child be notified before she can have an abortion. In addition, the Bishops pointed out that the proposed amendment would allow unregulated abortions until viability (approximately six months) and would allow abortions after viability due to its mental health exception loophole.
Amendment 3 is a major issue for Catholics in Missouri, especially during Respect Life Month in October, when Catholics around the nation highlight their witness to the dignity of every human life. Parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis began their observation with Respect Life Sunday at Masses the weekend of October 5-6 and continued with events throughout the month.
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The Catholic Church in Missouri will continue to advocate for policies that protect human life
The Catholic Church in Missouri has been vocal about its opposition to certain constitutional amendments, encouraging Catholics to vote in ways that uphold the Church's values and beliefs. One such instance was in the case of Amendment 3, which sought to legalise abortion and remove existing safety regulations surrounding the procedure. The Missouri Bishops issued a statement urging Catholics to vote against Amendment 3, citing it as "a tragic step backward in our work to protect all human life". Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski also published a video explaining his opposition to the amendment.
Amendment 3, if passed, would have enshrined the right to abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. It would also have eliminated parental rights, allowing minors to undergo the procedure without parental consent or notification. Furthermore, it would have shielded negligent healthcare providers from prosecution or lawsuits if they caused harm to individuals seeking reproductive care.
Despite their efforts, the amendment was voted for by Missourians. However, the Catholic Church in Missouri reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for policies that protect human life. They stated that they will continue to uphold the dignity of all human life, protect the vulnerable, and provide support for those facing unforeseen pregnancies or hardships during pregnancies. The Church also expressed gratitude towards those who supported their campaign to defend the state's most vulnerable.
In another instance, Missouri's Catholic Bishops urged Catholics to vote against a constitutional amendment on recreational marijuana, Amendment 3. The Bishops, including Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Bishop McKnight, and Bishop Edward M. Rice of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, signed a statement opposing the amendment. They believed that legalising marijuana for recreational use would be detrimental to the wellbeing of their communities.
The Catholic Church in Missouri has consistently advocated for policies that align with their values, especially those pertaining to the protection of human life and the wellbeing of vulnerable individuals and communities. They have encouraged Catholics to vote in ways that reflect these values, even if it goes against proposed amendments that gain traction or are ultimately passed.
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Bishops say Amendment 3 will remove state prohibitions on marijuana
Missouri Catholic bishops have urged Catholics to vote against Amendment 3, which seeks to legalise the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. In a joint statement, the bishops expressed their belief that marijuana legalisation will negatively impact Missouri families, health outcomes, communities, and workers. They argue that the social costs of increased marijuana usage will outweigh any potential state revenues generated by the marijuana industry.
The bishops pointed out that marijuana legalisation sends the message that marijuana is safe and socially acceptable, especially to minors. They highlighted that states that have legalised recreational marijuana have some of the highest teen usage rates in the country. The bishops also raised concerns about the impact of marijuana legalisation on worker productivity and safety, stating that it could hinder individuals' ability to find or maintain meaningful employment, especially in jobs that require drug testing.
In their statement, the bishops acknowledged the potential for individuals with marijuana-related offences to be released from prison or have their records expunged. However, they emphasised the negative consequences of marijuana legalisation, including its association with respiratory problems, mental health issues such as anxiety and suicidal thoughts, and adverse effects on learning, memory, and attention.
The Missouri Catholic Conference, led by Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, has actively encouraged Catholics to vote against Amendment 3. They have described it as a "tragic step backward" in the effort to protect all human life and urged all persons of goodwill to join in opposition to the amendment.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitutional Amendment 1 in Missouri is about [insert amendment description here].
The Catholic Church in Missouri has not released an official statement regarding Constitutional Amendment 1. However, based on their stance on similar issues, it can be assumed that they [insert assumption here].
Catholics should vote on Constitutional Amendment 1 in Missouri by following their conscience and personal beliefs. They may consider the values and teachings of the Catholic Church as a guide, but ultimately the decision is a personal one.
Yes, several Catholic bishops and clergy in Missouri have encouraged Catholics to vote against Constitutional Amendment 3, which concerned abortion and recreational marijuana legalization, respectively. However, it is unclear if these individuals have spoken about Constitutional Amendment 1.
