Bishops of Missouri Support "measure designed to restrict both abortion and gender-reassignment procedures for minors"
In a joint statement released March 26, Missouri’s Catholic bishops threw their support behind
Amendment 3, a ballot measure designed to restrict both abortion and gender-reassignment procedures for minors.The Missouri Catholic Conference—comprising Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski and Bishops James V. Johnston, Jr., Ralph B. O’Donnell, and Edward M. Rice—framed the measure as a necessary step to protect the "sanctity and dignity of all human life."
Restoring "Common-Sense Safeguards"
The bishops argue that Amendment 3 is a vital correction to a pro-abortion amendment passed by Missouri voters in 2024. According to the clergy, the current law:
Eliminated parental notification and consent requirements for minors.
Removed the mandate that only licensed doctors perform abortions.
Rolled back inspection and licensing requirements for clinics.
"Missourians will have the opportunity to restore those safeguards by voting for Amendment 3," the bishops stated, emphasizing a desire to protect women's health while restoring protections for the unborn.
Strategic Overlap: Abortion and Gender Care
Amendment 3 is unique in that it pairs abortion restrictions with limitations on medical and surgical gender-reassignment procedures for minors.
While Missouri enacted a ban on such procedures in 2023, that law includes a "sunset provision" set to expire on August 28, 2027. By including these restrictions in the constitutional amendment, supporters aim to make the ban permanent.
Public Opinion and Data
Recent polling suggests the inclusion of gender-reassignment restrictions may be a key driver for the amendment's popularity:
| Metric | Support | Oppose | Undecided |
| Amendment 3 Support | 47% | 40% | 12% |
| Legal Abortion (8 weeks) | 59% | - | - |
| Legal Abortion (15 weeks) | 35% | - | - |
The data highlights a complex landscape for voters. While a majority of Missourians support early-term abortion access, the 2025 Charlotte Lozier Institute analysis shows that 60% of abortions in the state occur before 9 weeks, placing the bulk of procedures within the window that currently holds the highest public support.
The Bishops' Call to Action
The bishops concluded their message by calling on "the faithful and all people of good will" to engage in prayer and fasting for the amendment’s success. They reiterated the Church's stance that human life must be supported from "conception to natural death," including advocacy for the poor, immigrants, and those on death row.
Statement of Missouri Catholic Conference on Pro-Life Amendment 3
Posted on March 26, 2026 in News
We, the Catholic bishops of Missouri, are committed to protecting the sanctity and dignity of all human life, including the poor and needy, refugees and immigrants, prisoners on death row, and mothers and children.
In Missouri, this dignity is being threatened by the pro-abortion amendment passed in 2024. That amendment enshrined a sweeping right to abortion in the State Constitution and eliminated the legislature’s ability to set common-sense safeguards for the abortion industry, including the requirement that only doctors perform abortions, the requirement that parents be notified and give consent before their minor child has an abortion, and the requirement that abortion clinics be licensed and inspected.
This year, Missourians will have the opportunity to restore those safeguards by voting for Amendment 3. The proposed constitutional amendment will protect women’s health and safety and restore protections for the unborn.
We ask the faithful and all people of good will to join us in prayer and fasting for the success of Amendment 3 and to support each human person from conception to natural death.
Download PDF of this letter
Pray the Novena for the Dignity of Human Life
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