+JMJ
Dear Parishioners,
Here are some bullet points from my homilies this past week regarding the special ballot election on August 8th – Issue #1.
– Bishop Thomas has invited parishes to encourage parishioners to vote “yes” on Issue 1, the special election ballot on August 8, which proposed to require a 60% majority vote for an amendment, rather than a simple majority vote.
– This is not a partisan matter – Libertarian, Democrat, Republican, etc. It's a moral issue.
– For us Catholics, Issue 1 is connected to the battle ahead of us in November, when big-money entities will advertise with very deceptive wording the health freedom amendment for our state constitution, which actually contains abortion on demand even to the end of pregnancy, and eliminates the need for parental consent for minors. [Included also will be transgender treatment and surgeries for minors, again avoiding parental consent.] Because of this connection, as a step in fighting for the protection of children in the womb, Issue 1 becomes a moral issue for us. Passing Issue 1 becomes a good thing to do, as part of a strategy to prevent the passing of the radical abortion amendment in November. If we pass Issue 1, it will be more difficult for big-monied entities to enshrine abortion on demand into our state constitution.
– Issue 1 will affect all future amendments, not just the abortion proposal in November. But this seems logically to be a plus, because it seems it ought not to be so easy to change the state constitution, no matter what the issue. Issue 1 proposes that instead of only a simple majority passing the amendment (50% + 1 person), it should take a 60% majority to change a document so important as our state constitution. This is not a radical request, especially if you compare that 60% proposal to how the national constitution is amended, and if you compare that with the approach of the rest of the states of our country.
– This is the first time we are up against such a crucial, grave amendment for our state constitution, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade threw the abortion battle back to the state level. This is a first for us, and it's worth passing Issue 1, if it will help us protect pre-born children against the proposed amendment coming in November.
– The slogan we see on the signs – “protect our constitution” – can be considered in two ways.
- Yes, it's logical to believe that the constitution could be more stable (considering some 177 amendments made to it already with the simple majority approach) by requiring a 60% majority for an amendment. That would be a protection.
- But, more importantly from our perspective, let's protect our constitution from becoming an instrument of the culture of death. Do we really want to enshrine radical abortion policies into our constitution – the taking of the life of pre-born children? How will God look upon our state if we enshrine abortion into our constitution?
Please pray about Issue 1 on August 8th, and consider voting “yes” on Issue 1, as part of our battle to protect life in the womb – especially in light of the amendment that is being proposed for November's ballot.
Have a blessed week!
In cordibus Iesu, Mariae et Iosephus,
Father Poggemeyer