Published 09-15-24

FR. DAN SHAUGHNESSY

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you all know, abortion has been front and center in Missouri, due to the miraculous overturning (Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization) of Roe vs. Wade on June 24, 2022, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since then, there has been a push in the Missouri legislature to enshrine the right to an abortion in the Missouri Constitution.  

With that said, there are some very important things to know about Amendment 3; namely:

1) Parental consent laws would be eliminated. If a “right” to abortion is enshrined in our Missouri Constitution, it would allow abortions to be performed on pregnant minors without notice to or consent from the minor’s parents. 

2) Abortion would be legal for all 9 months of pregnancy. If our Missouri Constitution is amended with a “right” to abortion, abortion would be allowed for “physical or mental health” for all 9 months of pregnancy from conception to live birth.

3) Pregnancy resource centers would be forced to refer for abortion.

4) Abortion clinics would no longer be required to offer or show a mother her baby’s ultrasound image.  

5) If abortion is enshrined as a “right” in our Missouri Constitution, your legislator would be unable to refuse to appropriate funds to abortion providers. (Source: Missouri Right to Life) 

As a Priest of Jesus Christ, I share the following. There are no “winners” in abortion. Everyone loses. The baby dies. The mother and father of the unborn child (along with family members and friends) live with the spiritual, emotional, and physical effects of the abortion for the rest of their lives. It is a heavy Cross for all of them to bear. That said, if you or someone you know has had an abortion, we are here to help you on the path to healing. Please reach out to me personally at frs@stpatsch.org. I will pray with you and connect you with resources to begin the journey of healing.  

As Catholic Christians, we need to do everything we can to prevent all of the suffering afflicting our country related to abortion.  We need to say a resounding “NO” to the culture of death.  As a priest, I am here to ask you for your prayers and I encourage you to reject Amendment 3 on November 5th.  

For those of you who are interested, there will be a gathering on Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 PM for a conversation on faithful citizenship and the importance of voting, as well as an explanation of all of the amendments appearing on the Missouri ballot this November, discussed through a Catholic lens. The location will be the Cardinal Rigali Center, 20 Archbishop May Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63119. No RSVP is necessary.

May God bless you all.

Devotedly yours in Christ,
Fr. Dan Shaughnessy