My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 

As you are well aware, this November there will be a dangerous amendment on the ballot that would enshrine abortion as a constitutional right in our great state of Ohio. The Diocese of Columbus, as well as the other dioceses of Ohio, have banded together with the Catholic Conference of Ohio to defeat this amendment.

Let me be frank. We need your help to defeat him. The proposed abortion amendment claims to secure reproductive freedom and protections for health and safety but instead creates several dangers. It puts women at risk. It threatens parental rights. It allows for abortion of fully formed babies in the womb. Let me repeat: It allows for abortions of fully formed babies in the womb.

As your bishop, I am calling you to action. I'm calling you to vote no in November. We are voting no in November because we are a people of life. We are people of love. We care about women. We care about children. We care about families. Furthermore, we don't believe that those on the other side do not care about the same things.

But this amendment goes far beyond reproductive freedom. The amendment attacks the fundamental understanding of the human person made in God's image and likeness. It removes rights from parents, could potentially jeopardize the conscience rights of medical professionals, and represents an assault on human life and the human family pitting mother against child. Once more, I urge all Catholics to register to vote and to vote no on the proposed amendment in November.

As Catholics, we cannot allow this dangerous amendment to put the women of Ohio at risk. We must strongly oppose this amendment and speak out to protect women, the fundamental rights of parents and the gift of life. Here's what I ask you to do: pray and fast, educate yourself, read the amendment, register to vote and vote no, get involved at your parish.

And, finally, do not be afraid to boldly proclaim the gospel of life. May Almighty God bless you, your families, and our great state of Ohio.

Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes

Bishop of Columbus