Archbishop Naumann
Photo: Catholic Herald The chairman of the US bishops’ pro-life and international policy committees said President Joe Biden’s memo rescinding the so-called ‘Mexico City policy’ January 28 is a “grievous” action that “actively promotes the destruction of human lives in developing nations”.
“It is antithetical to reason, violates human dignity, and is incompatible with Catholic teaching. We and our brother bishops strongly oppose this action. We urge the president to use his office for good, prioritising the most vulnerable, including unborn children,” the prelates said.
The statement was issued by Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, and chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop David Malloy of Rockford, Illinois, chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace.
“As the largest nongovernment health care provider in the world, the Catholic Church stands ready to work with him and his administration to promote global women’s health in a manner that furthers integral human development, safeguarding innate human rights and the dignity of every human life, beginning in the womb,” Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Malloy said.
“To serve our brothers and sisters with respect, it is imperative that care begin with ensuring that the unborn are free from violence, recognising every person as a child of God,” they said. “We hope the new administration will work with us to meet these significant needs.”