Bishop Michael F. Burbidge instructs Catholics to vote 'No' on Virginia ballot questions 1 and 2

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington has instructed Catholics in Virginia to vote against two upcoming constitutional amendments. He has asked priests in his diocese to read a letter during Mass that urges the faithful to vote no on Ballot Question 1 and Ballot Question 2.

The Bishop stated that Ballot Question 1 proposes a change to the Virginia Constitution that would create a legal right to unregulated abortions. He said this amendment could allow abortions performed by unlicensed practitioners at any time during pregnancy, including up to birth, and would extend this right to minors while removing the role of parents in these decisions.

Ballot Question 2 would remove the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman from the state constitution. The Bishop said the measure would enshrine gender ideology by separating biological sex from gender.