Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Bishop addresses state abortion petition
Published: February 12, 2024
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor addressed the following statement, Feb. 12, 2024, to the people of the Diocese of Little Rock regarding an abortion petition being circulated in Arkansas.
"A petition is currently being circulated in Arkansas to place an amendment on our November 2024 voting ballots that would change our state constitution to allow abortions until 18 weeks after conception. As bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock, I urge all Catholics and all people of good will not to sign this petition.
"During this campaign to enshrine abortion in our constitution, we expect that our media will be flooded with emotional propaganda. We should all know the truth about abortion and women’s healthcare. Abortion, the direct and intentional killing of a child in the womb, is never morally permissible.
"Abortion is never medically necessary. It does not treat or solve any pregnancy-related complication. It is not the same as treatment for miscarriage, because in miscarriage the baby has already died. Banning abortion does not prevent women from receiving true healthcare that they need.
"In rare cases, and in the absence of better alternatives, life-threatening maternal health conditions may require interventions that indirectly and unintentionally lead to the death of an unborn child — but this is not abortion.
"This radical amendment would also strip our government from protecting women and their unborn children by gutting the state’s regulatory laws like requiring parental consent before a minor has an abortion, informed consent and ultrasound requirements or abortion facility inspection. Arkansas would be unable to protect unborn children who can already feel pain from dismemberment abortion.
"The citizens of Arkansas share in the responsibility to legally protect every human life from conception to natural death. It is critical that all registered voters decline to sign the petition to allow the Arkansas abortion amendment on the November 2024 ballot.
"Rather than abortion, women should be provided love, compassion and support through pregnancy and into each child’s early years. Together we can protect the lives of thousands of innocent babies.
"Sincerely in Christ,
+Anthony B. Taylor
Bishop of Little Rock"
