Bishop Barres, State Catholic Conference react to failed attempt to protect born-alive abortion survivors

May 16, 2019

During the NY State Senate session May 13, Senator Pamela Helming (R-Geneva) introduced a hostile amendment to restore legal protections to born-alive abortion survivors.The amendment was defeated in a show-of-hands vote along party lines.
According to a statement from the New York State Catholic Conference, the amendment attempted to rectify a portion of the radical ‘Reproductive Health Act’ passed in January, which removed such protections for fully formed babies in the womb and infants who survive late-term abortion.

“The scale of New York’s abortion expansion shocked the country and began a national
conversation about the horror of infanticide and the extreme agenda of the pro-abortion
movement,” the statement continued. “Yet a motion to correct this heinous overreach and to restore protections to born children went down to defeat when the Democratic majority was presented with an opportunity to rectify this portion of the law.”
“It defies common sense and public opinion. We continue to pray for a change of heart among elected officials who support such a radical assault on the sacredness and dignity of human life.”

Diocese of Rockville Centre Bishop John Barres issued a statement May 16 thanking Senator Helming for her efforts and urging all Catholics to be aware of their responsibility to respect and defend life.
“Please join me in prayer for legislators like Senator Helming who courageously work to protect human life,” said Bishop Barres. “May her leadership, despite the odds, inspire and motivate other legislators to protect the innocent from what has become a radical assault on the sacredness and dignity of human life.

“We as Catholics have a responsibility to protect life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church commands: ‘Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.’ CCC 2270.

“As your bishop, I urge each and every one of you, the People of God of this great diocese, to consider this responsibility when discerning your vote in future elections. It is through fervent prayer, and our unrelenting commitment to speak out and defend all human life, that the horrific course we are presently on can be changed.”

Bishop Barres’ complete statement can be read here.