Today is a tragic day for women, children, and families in Ohio. We mourn that the dignity of human life remains concealed by the duplicity of a culture of death. Though this is a day of sorrow, we are never without hope. St. Paul tells us that it is in hope that we were saved and, “if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.”

Asking for God’s protection and mercy, we must look ahead. Despite the obstacles this amendment presents, the Catholic Church in Ohio will continue to work for policies that defend the most vulnerable, strengthen the child-parent relationship, and support women in need. As we pray for the conversion of minds and hearts to the gospel of life, we recommit ourselves to defending children in the womb and supporting women in need. The Catholic Church and faithful will never grow weary in our mission to help women and families flourish through ministries such as Walking with Moms in Need and other local organizations that provide material and spiritual support and through advocacy with policymakers.

We, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio, are grateful to the Catholic faithful, clergy, and all people of goodwill whose actions in this campaign demonstrated our commitment to honoring and upholding the dignity of life. Your sacrifices prove that the Church will never abandon her mission to support human life. We will persevere in this mission until every preborn child is protected, every pregnant woman is supported, and every human life receives respect, dignity, and justice.

With you in Christ Jesus,

The Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar

Diocese of Youngstown

The Most Rev. John Michael Botean

St. George Byzantine Catholic Diocese

The Most Rev. Paul J. Bradley

Diocese of Steubenville

The Most Rev. Bohdan J. Danylo

Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma

The Most Rev. Earl K. Fernandes

Diocese of Columbus

The Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic

Diocese of Cleveland

The Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas

Diocese of Toledo

The Most Rev. Michael Woost

Diocese of Cleveland