Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts "passionately disagree" with Governor Healey who Cited her Catholic Faith to Enact an Abortion Law
Massachusetts’ four Catholic bishops issued a joint statement denouncing Governor Maura Healey’s November 6, 2026 decision to use emergency powers to immediately enact a controversial late-term abortion law, overriding an antiabortion referendum effort. [1, 2]
She wrote: I am Catholic, and my faith is an important part of who I am. It has shaped my understanding of service, responsibility and our obligation to care for others. My faith teaches me to meet people with compassion, respect their dignity, and approach suffering with humility. I am also Governor for people of every faith and belief. My responsibility is to ensure that every family can make deeply personal medical decisions according to their own circumstances, values and the guidance of their doctors.
Background of the Action
- The Law: Governor Healey signed "An Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care" (Chapter 188) in August 2026, which removes previous legal restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks and leaves the decision entirely to a physician's professional judgment. [1, 2, 3]
The Bishops' Response
- The Signatories: Boston Archbishop Richard Henning, Bishop Robert Joseph McManus of Worcester, Bishop Edgar Moreira da Cunha of Fall River, and Bishop William Byrne of Springfield. [1, 2]
- Rejection of "Healthcare" Label: The bishops wrote, "We respectfully and passionately disagree that abortion, the taking of human life, may be considered health care." [1, 2]
- Dispute over Emergency Status: They rejected Healey's claim of an emergency, calling the legislation a “further expansion of the existing and already radically permissive law." [1, 2]
- Reference to Pope Leo XIV: The bishops invoked recent remarks made by Pope Leo XIV during a visit to Uruguay, noting the Pope's declaration that “the unborn already belong to the human family” and that illness, disability, or pain do not diminish a person's value. [1, 2]
- Support for Repeal Effort: The bishops expressed gratitude to the volunteers and coalition partners behind the Repeal188 petition drive, encouraging Catholics to keep supporting expectant mothers and families in crisis. [1, 2]
- FULL TEXT Response from the Bishops of Massachusetts :
A Message from Archbishop Henning and the Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts
Pope Leo XIV is currently visiting Uruguay, Latin America’s most secular country. On Saturday he addressed President Yamandú Orsi, public officials and diplomats, and he told them that “the unborn already belong to the human family,” explaining that protecting unborn children must be accompanied by support for mothers, fathers and families. He challenged his listeners to understand that illness, disability, physical pain, and the loss of autonomy do not diminish a person’s value.
His words equally apply to Massachusetts. Having read the Governor’s editorial defending her decision to override the results of the Repeal 188 efforts, we respectfully and passionately disagree that abortion, the taking of human life, may be considered health care. We also disagree that there is an emergency requiring the further expansion of the existing and already radically permissive law.
We call upon the legislators who crafted and passed this bill, and all men and women of good will, to reconsider the troubling state of our culture and its utilitarian and merciless approach to the elderly, the sick, the vulnerable, and the unborn. As Pope Leo put it: “The right to life is the indispensable foundation of every other human right.”
We are grateful to the coalition partners and volunteers who worked against time and many other obstacles in the Repeal188 effort, and we are grateful to the many voters who participated and raised their voices in the defense of the dignity of every person, no matter how small.
We continue to ask the Catholic communities in this state to promote life and to assist and accompany expectant mothers and fathers in distress or in crisis. We long to see a culture where both mother and child receive the best medical care and the loving support of the family and the community. We long to see the Lord’s own command “Choose life!” embraced and lived (cf. Deut. 30:19-20).
Our work continues as we heed the call of the Gospel to defend life at all stages. We pray for our Governor and legislators that the Lord may inspire wise and compassionate leadership. We call upon all to support families, especially those in crisis, and to build a culture that supports and loves every member of the human family.
His words equally apply to Massachusetts. Having read the Governor’s editorial defending her decision to override the results of the Repeal 188 efforts, we respectfully and passionately disagree that abortion, the taking of human life, may be considered health care. We also disagree that there is an emergency requiring the further expansion of the existing and already radically permissive law.
We call upon the legislators who crafted and passed this bill, and all men and women of good will, to reconsider the troubling state of our culture and its utilitarian and merciless approach to the elderly, the sick, the vulnerable, and the unborn. As Pope Leo put it: “The right to life is the indispensable foundation of every other human right.”
We are grateful to the coalition partners and volunteers who worked against time and many other obstacles in the Repeal188 effort, and we are grateful to the many voters who participated and raised their voices in the defense of the dignity of every person, no matter how small.
We continue to ask the Catholic communities in this state to promote life and to assist and accompany expectant mothers and fathers in distress or in crisis. We long to see a culture where both mother and child receive the best medical care and the loving support of the family and the community. We long to see the Lord’s own command “Choose life!” embraced and lived (cf. Deut. 30:19-20).
Our work continues as we heed the call of the Gospel to defend life at all stages. We pray for our Governor and legislators that the Lord may inspire wise and compassionate leadership. We call upon all to support families, especially those in crisis, and to build a culture that supports and loves every member of the human family.
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