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CNA Staff, Nov 7, 2024 / 16:30 pm (CNA).

Here is a roundup of abortion policy-related news this week.

Americans reject Democrats' abortion agenda 

Pro-life advocates are calling attention to the significance of the defeat of a 2024 Democratic presidential candidacy that was largely centered on abortion.

"Americans have rejected the Democrats' no-limits abortion agenda," Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a post-election press release.

In the run-up to this year's election, Vice President Kamala Harris amplified claims that women are dying from Republican abortion laws, though no state prohibits life-saving care for a pregnant woman. Harris vowed to restore Roe v. Wade-era standards and firmly rejected religious exemptions in federal abortion laws.

Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is known for the late-term abortion law he signed in Minnesota that has no limits on abortion at any stage of pregnancy. Dannenfelser noted that for her organization, its "paramount goal" in this election was "to deny Democrats the chance to pass a national all-trimester abortion mandate and wipe out protections for babies and women in all 50 states."

Meanwhile, during the campaign now-President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly pledged not to institute a national ban on abortion. He also emerged as an outspoken advocate of in vitro fertilization (IVF), a process designed to help infertile couples have children but creates many embryos that are discarded during the process.

During the two candidates' sole presidential debate, Trump said abortion laws should be left up to the states. He also pledged to consider reimplementing a ban on taxpayer funding for abortion overseas and providing religious exemptions related to any government program requiring health insurance coverage of IVF treatments.

Live Action attributes pro-life success to 'effective education' 

Pro-life forces prevailed in Florida and Nebraska in this week's election despite being heavily outspent by their pro-abortion opponents in both states. In Florida, supporters of an abortion amendment had a campaign war chest of more than $118 million. In contrast, the principal pro-life campaign committees that organized in opposition to the amendment had only $12 million in funding. 

Nebraska was the only state to have two competing abortion ballot measures. According to Ballotpedia, the organizing campaign in support of the pro-abortion amendment had $13 million total in funding, while campaigners for the pro-life measure received $11 million in contributions. 

Lila Rose, founder and president of Live Action, cited "resources" to provide "effective education" as reasons for the success of pro-life causes in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota. 

"Life wins when there are enough resources to ensure voters know the truth and when we have political leadership that boldly leads," Rose said Wednesday.

Exit polls: Abortion was not a top issue in this election  

Exit polls revealed that abortion was less of a priority than other issues for voters in this week's election. Vice President Kamala Harris ran heavily on the abortion issue and lost her bid for the presidency.

Among five issues (foreign policy, abortion, the economy, immigration, and the state of democracy), exit polls by NBC News indicated that only 14% chose abortion as the most important issue to them in voting for the president.

Of that 14%, 74% were Democrats while 25% were Republicans. Top issues were the economy (32%), mostly for Republicans, and the state of democracy (34%), mostly for Democrats.

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St. Louis, Mo., Nov 7, 2024 / 17:30 pm (CNA).

Just days after implementing a formal ban on a dozen "doctrinally problematic" hymns, a Missouri bishop has rescinded his original decree, instead opening a yearlong consultation process to determine how sacred music can best be used to encourage active participation in the liturgy.

In his original decree, dated Oct. 24, Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of the Diocese of Jefferson City listed a dozen commonly used contemporary hymns that were to be "absolutely forbidden" in the diocese after Nov. 1.

The list included such songs as "All Are Welcome" by Marty Haugen, "God Has Chosen Me" by Bernadette Farrell, "Led By the Spirit" by Bob Hurd, and "Table of Plenty" by Dan Schutte.

Acknowledging the "spirited discussion" that took place over his decree on social media and in various media outlets, McKnight wrote in a subsequent Nov. 5 decree that "it is now clear that an authentically synodal process of greater consultation did not occur prior to its promulgation." 

Pointing to Pope Francis' emphasis on "synodality" — the pontiff's call for the whole Church, including laypeople, to collaboratively seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer, listening, dialogue, and openness — McKnight wrote that he has ordered a "more comprehensive consultation with the relevant parties within the diocese" related to sacred music.

The original decree was the result of a yearslong research effort led by Father Daniel Merz, a diocesan pastor and chairman of the diocesan liturgical commission, which included consultations with priests ministering in the diocese. 

While stating that it is "important to recognize that some hymns in current distribution may not be appropriate for use in Catholic liturgies," the new decree does not include the specific names of any of the previously banned hymns. 

It instead lays out six criteria from the U.S. bishops' Committee on Doctrine that pastors and liturgical ministers should consider when determining whether a song is suitable for the liturgy. 

In particular, "it is vital that we ensure the greatest care be taken to prevent scandal from marring the beautiful celebration of the Eucharist," McKnight noted.

The new decree does retain a diocesan ban on the use of any music composed by persons who "have been found by his or her diocesan bishop or competent authority to be credibly accused of sexual abuse," specifically mentioning David Haas, Cesaréo Gabarain, and Ed Conlin.

The new decree, echoing the previous one, also lays out four Mass settings approved for use in the diocese — three in English and one bilingual with Spanish — and with which every parish should "become familiar" for the sake of unity, though parishes are not explicitly obliged to use them.

They include the "Chant Mass," the "Mass of St. Frances Cabrini" by Kevin Keil, the "Revised Mass of Creation" by Marty Haugen, and for Spanish-speaking congregations, the bilingual "Misa del Pueblo Inmigrante" ("Mass of the Immigrant People") by Bob Hurd.

'Moving forward with an open mind and an open heart'

According to a draft story for the Catholic Missourian, shared with CNA by the diocese before publication, McKnight has now tasked the diocesan liturgical commission with gathering feedback from musicians, music ministers, and "everyone else who has a perspective on the music used in liturgies across the diocese" by August 2025.

The liturgical commission will gather feedback and present a report to the diocesan pastoral council and presbyteral council that will offer advice to McKnight, who will then make decisions about liturgical music policies for the diocese.

The process will also involve the leaders of the diocesan chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, a membership organization for Catholic music ministers. 

"It is inspiring to see such passion and enthusiasm about the music that enlivens our Catholic liturgies. Whenever we see this kind of fervor among the faithful, our Church gives us the perfect way to respond — a synodal response," McKnight said as reported by the Missourian. 

"Rather than the faithful being relegated to the outside as commenters on a decision, with their only response being either obedience or disobedience, it is better to invite everyone in our diocese into a discernment process. The Holy Spirit is working through each one of us. When the people of God speak, we have a responsibility to open ourselves to listen, even when that means changing course and trying a different approach."

Both of McKnight's decrees rely on a set of 2020 guidelines from the U.S. bishops, "Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church," which lays out the aforementioned criteria for evaluating whether hymns sung at Mass are accurately conveying the truths that Catholics believe. 

Emphasizing the formative power of music and its influence on Catholics' understanding and practice of the faith, that document warns that hymns with inaccurate or incomplete theology can lead to a distorted understanding of key doctrines, particularly the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

The bishops' six criteria, which are categories of potential deficiencies with hymns, include: presentation of Eucharistic doctrine; presentation of Trinitarian doctrine; presentation of the doctrine of God and his relation to humans; presentation of a view of the Church that sees her as essentially a human construction; presentation of doctrinally incorrect views of the Jewish people; and presentation of an incorrect Christian anthropology.

"I am excited about moving forward with an open mind and an open heart," McKnight said, speaking to the Missourian. 

"Music is such an important part of who we are as Catholics … I am eager to hear from everyone, in a synodal process of deep listening, as we embark on this process together."

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Madrid, Spain, Nov 7, 2024 / 12:55 pm (CNA).

Spain's Constitutional Court (TC, by its Spanish acronym) has ruled that by refusing to admit a woman, a male Catholic brotherhood violated the legal precept of nondiscrimination on the basis of her sex and her right to association.

In 2008, María Teresita Laborda Sanz requested to join the Pontifical, Royal, and Venerable Slavery of the Most Holy Christ of La Laguna, a public association of the faithful founded in 1545.

Article 1 of the statutes of the brotherhood states that it is "a religious association of gentlemen, established to promote among its members a more perfect Christian life, the exercise of works of evangelical piety, and the increase of devotion and veneration of the holy image of Our Crucified Lord," which is why the application was denied.

In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that Laborda had not suffered any discrimination because "the purposes of [the brotherhood] being religious, it did not hold a dominant position in the economic, professional, or labor spheres, so no harm could be caused to the appellant, who could create a new religious association with the same purposes."

The Constitutional Court now considers that the content of the Article 1 of the brotherhood's statutes "isn't protected by the religious autonomy of said association to the extent that the prohibition of women from being part of the association is not based on any reason of a religious or moral nature," a Nov. 4 statement from the TC explains.

"The requirements of religious freedom and the principle of religious neutrality not being in question" derived from Article 16 of the Spanish Constitution, the court considers that "although a private association has the right to freely choose whom it associates with (Article 22), this right cannot constitute discrimination based on gender when the association holds a 'privileged' or 'dominant' position in the economic, cultural, social, or professional field," as the Supreme Court held.

However, the Constitutional Court maintained that "although the activities carried out, from which the appellant is excluded, are acts of religious worship and are not related to any economic, professional, or work-related matters, this does not exclude the possibility that these acts may also have a social or cultural impact, given that culture and religion, being different elements, are not watertight compartments, and a large number of religious [public events] in Spain are part of the history and social culture of our country."

The TC concluded that the plaintiff "has no possibility of carrying out the same activity of veneration of said image in another brotherhood or confraternity of the municipality." The ruling of the six judges of the Second Chamber of the Constitutional Court was not unanimous.

Expert: Ruling is 'bad news'

Rafael Palomino, a professor of ecclesiastical law of the state at the Complutense University of Madrid, criticized the ruling of the TC in a comment published on his professional profile on LinkedIn, calling it "bad news."

To the argument of the TC that considers the plaintiff has had her rights violated because "she does not have the possibility of exercising the same activity of veneration of said image in another brotherhood or confraternity of the municipality," Palomino responded: "What do you mean she cannot carry out the same religious activity? Let the appellant set up another brotherhood, another association, another religion if she wants! This is beginning to be the inverse of the law presided over by a banana republic constitutional judiciary."

Consulted by ACI Prensa, the Diocese of Tenerife declined to comment on the ruling.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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Detroit, Mich., Nov 7, 2024 / 15:00 pm (CNA).

This past Sunday, trucks carrying 100,000 meals headed south from Michigan to North Carolina and Florida to aid hurricane victims. 

The day before departure, more than 400 volunteers streamed into the social hall at St. Isidore Catholic Church in the Michigan township of Macomb to pack the meals.

Parishioners from St. Isidore and other churches were joined by members of local Kiwanis and Key Clubs, who supported the effort with funding as well as volunteers. There were high school honor societies and dance teams wearing matching jackets. There were individuals alongside entire families and groups of friends who wanted to help others in a tangible way. 

They arrived at 10 a.m. By noon, the boxes with more than 100,000 meal packets were packed and loaded onto trucks waiting outside.

St. Isidore partnered with the Kids Coalition Against Hunger and with volunteer Lori Stillwell, who worked with parish staff to manage the many details of the massive effort. Forty tables were set up in U-shaped formations in the parish social hall, with 26 people stationed at each. 

The stations became assembly lines with bins of rice, vitamin-fortified crushed soy, a vitamin blend, and dehydrated vegetables. Recipients of the meals add 6 cups of boiling water to feed six adults or 12 children. The packet contains the nine essential amino acids, making it a nutritionally sound food source for those in crisis. Each meal cost 35 cents to make. 

As boxes were packed with 36 meal packets each, volunteers at some tables let out a celebratory cheer every time they sealed a box. At other tables, applause rang out when the food scale reached precisely 390 grams, the amount each pouch holds. The festive setting served as a model not only of efficiency but also of joyful service to others. 

Including the people who had set up the night before, as well as those who packaged the meals during the event and another group that cleaned up after the action-packed two hours, the volunteer count reached nearly 600 parishioners and community members.

"We are doing what Archbishop [Allen H. Vigneron] challenges us to do, and that is to go out into the community and unleash the Gospel," said Deacon Jeff Loeb, who coordinated the effort with Stillwell and a host of other St. Isidore staff members. "In addition to helping hurricane victims, this whole effort creates a ripple effect locally as well. Even though we're packing these meals within our walls, we're reaching out beyond the walls to bring people in." 

Three moms — Amy Pagliaroli, Nicole Simonsen, and Audrey Kronzo — brought a group of teenagers from the Dakota High School's National Honor Society, the Seneca Middle School National Junior Honor Society, and Girl Scout Troop 76395 to the event. 

"I want to show my daughter that doing nice things for people in need is important," Simonsen said. 

Sixteen-year-old Ryan Comilla, a junior at Dakota High School, attended the food-packing event for the first time. His family attends St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Shelby Township, Michigan.

"I'm glad I came," Comilla said. "It feels like you have a purpose when you do something like this and you're helping someone who doesn't have access to food." 

Ten tables were filled by families who signed up to serve together. At several stations, three generations measured ingredients side by side. 

Monsignor John Kasza is the moderator for the Disciples Unleashed Family of Parishes, which includes St. Isidore, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Francis of Assisi-St. Maximilian Kolbe in Ray Township. 

"It's good to support one another as one family of parishes," Kasza said. "This was originally a St. Isidore event, so we partnered with the parishes to continue to do the work together while also extending it out to the community. It's reminiscent of what we hear at the end of Mass: 'May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.'" 

St. Isidore first packed meals for Kids Coalition Against Hunger in 2015, packaging more than half a million meals since then. Each year, the food is sent wherever there is a need domestically or internationally.

Chris Kozlowski, the mission support director for the family of parishes, worked behind the scenes to make the event a success and to secure funds. With financial support from parishioners, Kiwanis Clubs, and other donors, more than $50,000 was raised, far beyond the original goal of $35,000. Excess funds will be saved to pack additional meals next year. 

"There are days I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of our three parishes. They are truly amazing," Kozlowski said. "And, most importantly, it is a sign of God's grace that so many people are willing to do so much for their neighbors in need.?I can't think of a more fitting event considering our Gospel reading from this past weekend was about loving the Lord with our hearts and loving our neighbor as ourselves."?? 

Kozlowski encouraged other parishes not to "sell our God or the goodness in people around us short." When the team at St. Isidore initially discussed the idea of packing 100,000 meals, they didn't think it would be possible, he said. They wound up achieving the goal several years back-to-back, and the endeavor grows every year.

"This is a result of hard work and vision, but most importantly, it is the result of giving all of the caring, wonderful people an opportunity to express their love for others through generosity and action," Kozlowski said. "I also can't say enough about the people at [Kids Coalition Against Hunger] for casting the vision for their mission." 

The meal-packing event allows everyone to serve in some way, Kozlowski noted. Seniors might offer funding for the project, while young families?pitch in for the physical part of the effort.? 

Now that the rice has been vacuumed off the floor and tables have been put away, the parish is already looking ahead: They have set their sights on the milestone of 1 million meals and hope to reach it within a few years. 

Volunteers can donate toward next year's meal-packing effort at St. Isidore. Collecting funds throughout the year will help organizers plan for additional meals next year.

Learn more about Kids Coalition Against Hunger at https://kidscoalitionagainsthunger.org.

This article was first published by Detroit Catholic and is adapted and reprinted here with permission.

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ACI Africa, Nov 7, 2024 / 15:30 pm (CNA).

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Nigeria's Diocese of Auchi who was abducted Oct. 27, has regained his freedom.

A statement issued Thursday by Father Peter Egielewa, director of communications for the diocese, provided details of Oyode's release, relaying the gratitude of Bishop Gabriel Ghiakhomo Dunia of Auchi.

"The Catholic Diocese of Auchi wishes to announce the release of Rev. Father Thomas Oyode from the hands of his abductors," Egielewa said, adding that the kidnapped priest was set free at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Egielewa said the bishop wished to express "gratitude to all for the prayers and moral support received for the 11 days Father Oyode was held captive, including Catholic faithful within and outside the diocese, well-meaning Nigerians within and outside the country, friends, and well-wishers around the world."

The statement also thanked Nigerian security agencies and vigilante groups as well as hunters who Egielewa said had "labored day and night" in search of the kidnapped priest.

In his statement, the bishop urged the Nigerian government at all levels to work to address the deteriorating security situation around the Edo North Senatorial District and Edo state and take proactive steps to put in place measures that he said will guarantee that people return to their normal peaceful lives in their homes, in their farms, and while in transit.

Oyode was kidnapped Oct. 27 when gunmen attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi-Agenebode, Etsako East LGA of Edo state. Attackers struck while the priests and seminarians were observing evening prayers and Benediction.

Gunshots at the seminary were said to have prompted all but two students to flee the school premises during the evening incident at the seminary.

An unnamed source said that when the two students were captured by suspected Fulani kidnappers, Oyode intervened, pleading with the Fulani herdsmen to release the students and take him instead.

"The kidnappers released the students and took Father Oyode away," the source wrote in a WhatsApp group for African Catholic theologians, adding: "Following the abduction, Father Oyode was led into the bush."

Nigeria has been battling a surge of violence orchestrated by gangs whose members carry out indiscriminate attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and, in some cases, killing.

Boko Haram, a group that allegedly aims to turn Africa's most populous nation into an Islamic nation, has been a major challenge in the country since 2009.

The abduction and release of Oyode follows a series of other recent kidnappings that have targeted members of the clergy in Nigeria.

On Nov. 5, Father Emmanuel Azubuike, pastor of St. Theresa Obollo Parish of the Diocese of Okigwe, was taken on his way back home from an assignment. He is yet to be released.

On June 9, Father Gabriel Ukeh was abducted from a parish rectory in the Diocese of Kafanchan and then released.

Father Oliver Buba, a priest of the Diocese of Yola, was abducted on May 21 in the diocese; he was later released.

Earlier, on May 15, the Archdiocese of Onitsha announced the abduction of Father Basil Gbuzuo, who was also later set free.

This article was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

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Vatican City, Nov 7, 2024 / 11:25 am (CNA).

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and other Holy See leaders have shared their well wishes for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump following his resounding election victory this week, conveying their hopes for wise leadership on both domestic and international affairs.

"We wish him great wisdom, because this is the main virtue of rulers according to the Bible," Parolin said at an event in Rome.

"I believe that, above all, he has to work to be the president of the whole country and so overcome the polarization that has occurred, which can be very, very clearly felt at the moment," he indicated.

Trump obtained a decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 6 presidential vote, surpassing the 270 electoral votes needed to return for a second term to the White House.

Called to be a peacemaker

In addition to working toward unity among people within the U.S., Parolin also expressed his hope for Trump to "be an element of détente and pacification in the current conflicts that are bleeding the world."

"Let's hope, let's hope. I believe that not even he has a magic wand," Parolin said. 

"To end wars, a lot of humility is needed, a lot of willingness is needed. It really is necessary to seek the general interests of humanity rather than concentrate on particular interests."

While Pope Francis and Donald Trump have not seen eye to eye on issues including migrants or the environment, Vatican Undersecretary for the Dicastery for Culture and Education Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ, told Italian journalists Nov. 6 that the Vatican intends to "seek dialogue" with the U.S. leader. 

"Catholics don't have homogenous party affiliations or political convictions in the United States or anywhere else," he said. "It's held the compass of values steady, but without taking sides, precisely to avoid a spurious mixing of religion with politics."

"The perspective of the Holy See is always broad, international, recognizing that the United States has an important role in avoiding that the conflicts currently under way in the world, from martyred Ukraine to martyred Palestine, don't get worse," Spadaro said. "It's necessary to find solutions."

Following Trump's election, speculation around his foreign policy measures have been in the media spotlight again, with particular attention being given to his pledge to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. 

In the run-up to the election, the American leader repeatedly stated that he would end the conflict in "24 hours." 

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 6, 2024 / 10:45 am (CNA).

With 95% of the vote tabulated as of 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, the effort to add a constitutional amendment in West Virginia prohibiting "medically assisted suicide, euthanasia, [and] mercy killing" was headed toward passage with the support of 50.4% of the Mountain State's voters. 

The amendment to the state constitution's bill of rights, titled "Protection Against Medically Assisted Suicide," would bar persons, physicians, and health care providers from participating in the practice. 

The amendment clarifies that the ban does not prohibit "the administration or prescription of medication for the purpose of alleviating pain or discomfort while the patient's condition follows its natural course; nor does anything in this section prohibit the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment, as requested by the patient or the patient's decision-maker, in accordance with state law" nor does it prevent the state's use of capital punishment.

Bishop Mark Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston was vociferous in support of the measure, writing in a statement that "suicide, even if done for altruistic reasons, is a rejection of our place in the human community, because we choose to leave it before we have to."

In his statement, Brennan pointed out that medically assisted suicide "corrupts the medical profession" and that "many of the reasons that lead people to choose the help of medical personnel to end their lives can be met by nonlethal means."

Moral theologian and Creighton University School of Medicine professor Charles Camosy touted the results on Wednesday, noting in a post on X that the measure was in keeping with West Virginia's "history of defending human dignity."

West Virginia Congressman-elect Riley Moore, a Republican, also welcomed the vote, stating  "West Virginia stands for life, and we proved it tonight. The passage of Amendment 1 will protect WV's most vulnerable from medical killing — forever."

In a statement to CNA, Patients Rights Action Fund Executive Director Matt Vallière pointed out that while physician suicide is already illegal in West Virginia, "if the amendment ultimately receives majority support when all the votes are counted, adding it to the state constitution would make protections for people in the state stronger."

Vallière emphasized that "physician assisted suicide is a dangerous policy that creates great risk for people with disabilities, older adults, and other historically underrepresented groups because they are often not treated equally resulting in a two-tiered health care system." 

Vallière also pointed out that almost every state that has legalized assisted suicide has "loosened over time what protections they originaly claimed in supporting adoption." Some of those states now even allow elective medically assisted suicides "based on nonfatal mental health diagnosis," he added. 

Assisted suicide is currently legal in the U.S. states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia.

This story was updated on Nov. 6, 2024, at 5:02 p.m. ET with updated vote results as well as the statement from Patients Rights Action Fund.

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CNA Staff, Nov 6, 2024 / 14:45 pm (CNA).

California and Colorado voted to repeal amendments that defined marriage as between a man and a woman, while Hawaii is on track to repeal its traditional definition of marriage, though it has not yet been called.

The state constitutions of California, Colorado, and Hawaii defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman, but the results of these measures on the 2024 election ballots are set to remove this traditional definition.

The removal of the long-standing language on marriage is largely symbolic since the U.S. Supreme Court already legalized same-sex marriage in all U.S. jurisdictions in its 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision. Nonetheless, in 2020, Nevada became the first state to repeal its constitutional provision defining marriage as between a man and a woman. California, Colorado, and Hawaii joined the ranks this year, removing the definition.

Colorado 

In a roughly 63% to 36% vote, Colorado removed language from its constitution that recognized marriage as "only a union of one man and one woman."

The Colorado bishops made a statement opposing the "Protecting the Freedom to Marry" or Amendment J earlier this year, saying that it was "imperative" for faithful Catholics to oppose the amendment as well as a pro-abortion amendment that would enshrine abortion as a right in the state's constitution.

The main proponent of Amendment J, Freedom to Marry Colorado, raised more than $760,000 and spent less than $600,000 of it. State Rep. Scott Bottoms and the Colorado bishops voiced opposition to the measure, but there was no organized campaign opposing the measure, according to Ballotpedia.

California 

Californians overwhelmingly supported removing the state's traditional definition of marriage from the constitution in a 61% to 38% vote. The amendment not only removed the definition of marriage, like Colorado's, but also added the "right to marry" as a "fundamental right" in the state's constitution.

The California Catholic bishops did not take a stance on the measure, though groups including the California Family Council voiced opposition to it, citing concerns that it could eliminate safeguards and lead to the legalization of other irregular forms of marriage. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California voiced support for the measure. 

Like Colorado, there were no reported campaigns against the measure. Campaigns supporting the measure totaled more than $3.4 million in funding.

Hawaii

While Hawaii has not yet called the results of its marriage amendment, the state is on track to repeal the Legislature's power to limit marriage to one man and one woman. Though it is the closest of the three states, Amendment 1 is still more than 10 points ahead, according to the New York Times. 

Of the 76% of votes counted in Hawaii, about 56% voted yes for Amendment 1, while about 43% voted no. In Hawaii, blank votes are considered no votes. The amendment needs 51% to pass. 

Like Colorado and California, there were no reported campaigns against it. Supporters had $79,000 in funding. 

American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii, among others, voiced support for the measure. The Hawaii Catholic bishops did not take a stance on the measure. 

Same-sex marriage in the U.S.

According to a 2023 Pew Research survey, 63% of Americans believe same-sex marriage should be legal, while 34% are against it. Support for same-sex marriage increased steadily in the U.S. from 2004 to 2017 while remaining steady since, according to Pew.

The ballot measures in California and Colorado reflect this survey, with similar numbers from their voters.

In point No. 46 of their 2023 document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States," the U.S. bishops state that "the family — based on marriage between a man and a woman — is the first and fundamental unit of society and is a sanctuary for the creation and nurturing of children. It should be defended and strengthened, not redefined, undermined, or further distorted. Respect for the family should be reflected in every policy and program."

In addition, the Catholic Church teaches that "homosexual persons are called to chastity" and that homosexual acts are contrary to natural law and close the sexual act off from the gift of life, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Nos. 2359, 2357). The catechism also condemns any "unjust discrimination" toward people with homosexual inclinations.

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CNA Staff, Nov 6, 2024 / 15:15 pm (CNA).

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is calling for respect and civility after the 2024 U.S. elections concluded with Donald Trump winning a second term as president. 

Trump won the race against Vice President Kamala Harris with a sizable Electoral College victory that stood at 306-226 on Wednesday afternoon. The Republican president-elect also held a roughly 5-million-vote lead in the popular vote. 

In a statement posted to the USCCB's website, conference president Archbishop Timothy Broglio congratulated Trump on his victory and praised the U.S.'s "ability to transition peacefully from one government to the next."

The archbishop noted that the Catholic Church is "not aligned with any political party, and neither is the bishops' conference." 

"No matter who occupies the White House or holds the majority on Capitol Hill, the Church's teachings remain unchanged, and we bishops look forward to working with the people's elected representatives to advance the common good of all," the prelate wrote.

"As Christians, and as Americans, we have the duty to treat each other with charity, respect, and civility, even if we may disagree on how to carry out matters of public policy," he said. "As a nation blessed with many gifts we must also be concerned for those outside our borders and eager to offer assistance to all."

The archbishop urged Americans to pray for President-elect Trump and all elected officials so that they might "rise to meet the responsibilities entrusted to them as they serve our country and those whom they represent."

"Let us ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother, the patroness of our nation, that she guide to uphold the common good of all and promote the dignity of the human person, especially the most vulnerable among us, including the unborn, the poor, the stranger, the elderly and infirm, and migrants," he said. 

The 2024 election results capped what was effectively a four-year effort by Trump to retake the White House after he lost his first reelection bid to President Joe Biden in 2020. Trump became the first president in nearly 130 years to win a second presidential term nonconsecutively.

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CNA Staff, Nov 6, 2024 / 11:45 am (CNA).

Kentucky, Nebraska, and Colorado voted on school choice ballot measures on Tuesday. While the measure in Colorado has not yet been called, voters are on pace to reject school choice in each state.

Kentucky

With more than 95% of votes counted, Kentucky voters rejected an amendment by an almost 2-1 margin that would have allowed funding for charter schools.

Charter schools in Kentucky are currently legal but not funded by the state. Kentucky Amendment 2, the "Education Opportunities Constitution Amendment," would have allowed the state to provide state funding to students outside of public schools. The amendment would have allowed consideration of a voucher program for students to attend private and parochial schools.

Kentucky's constitution only allows state funding to go toward "common schools," generally interpreted as public schools. If passed, the amendment would have explicitly allowed the government to give "financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools" for K–12 students, according to the amendment text.

Kentucky school choice advocates have tried to pass funding for charter schools in recent years, but the Kentucky Supreme Court has shut down both attempts.

The coalition opposing the Kentucky charter school amendment spent almost four times as much as supporters.

Nebraska

Nebraska voters repealed a recent school choice scholarship voucher program that established a $10 million fund for scholarships in about a 57-42 vote.

The school choice program, LB 1402, provided scholarships to students to attend qualifying private schools, including parochial schools, with a high priority for students in foster care, students experiencing bullying or harassment, and students in need of special education as well as low-income and lower-middle-class families. It was designed to enable students to apply for and receive scholarships to private schools through scholarship granting organizations.

Support Our Schools, which supported the repeal, had $7.42 million in funding, mostly from the National Education Association and the Nebraska State Education Association. The group working against the repeal, Keep Kids First, had only $1.45 million in funding.   

Colorado 

Colorado voters are on track to reject a school choice amendment with about 72% of votes counted, but the New York Times and The Colorado Sun have yet to call it. 

Colorado Amendment 80 would have established a right to school choice in the state constitution. It needed 55% support to pass. At the time of publication, it only had about 47.9% in favor and about 52% against. 

The school choice amendment would have enshrined a "right to school choice" in the state constitution for K–12 students. Amendment 80 defined school choice as including "neighborhood schools, charter schools, private schools, home schools, open enrollment options, and future innovations in education." The amendment would have given parents "the right to direct the education of their children" while ensuring that all children "have the right to equal opportunity to access a quality education."

Colorado students currently may apply to public schools outside their district or to one of the state's more than 260 charter schools. 

The amendment would have opened up the possibility of school choice programs at parochial schools.

While the Catholic bishops came out in support of school choice, a Colorado home schooling group, Christian Home Educators of Colorado, argued that the measure could lead to "increased government interference" due to its phrasing.

Executive Director of the Colorado Catholic Conference Brittany Vessely told CNA that "the Colorado Catholic Conference of Bishops is disappointed in the loss of Amendment 80." 

"Amendment 80 aligned with Catholic social teaching: to ensure that parents are permitted to select the best education option(s) for their children and each person of every age has a right to education," she explained. "This includes using a portion of state funding for parents to direct to the learning option that best fits the needs of their child." 

"Because of this loss, it is likely that the anti-school choice majorities in the state Legislature will continue to attack Colorado's current school choice options, including charter schools, and erode the rights of conscience and expression for parochial education providers and parents who choose options other than traditional public schools," Vessely noted.

School choice in the U.S.

These votes against school choice bucked the ongoing trend in the U.S. in favor of school choice following a record year in 2023, when 20 states expanded school choice programs, with 11 states enacting "universal" school choice by allowing all students to use state tuition assistance to attend nonpublic schools.

School choice advocates argue that school choice helps parents make the best decision for their parents.  

"Ensuring a quality education for our children is a fundamental duty and right every parent shares," Alleigh Marré, the executive director of American Parents Coalition, a parents' rights group based in Washington, D.C., told CNA.

"Whether it be gender-related policy for sports teams and bathrooms or curriculum that's focused on the activist political issue du jour, school choice is an extremely important issue that gives parents the flexibility to make the best possible decision for their children and family," Marré said.

This story was updated on Nov. 6, 2024, at 2:20 p.m. ET with the statement from the Colorado Catholic Conference.

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