TALLAHASSEE, FL – In a joint statement, Florida’s Catholic bishops continued an annual tradition of recognizing the Jan. 22, 1973, U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. Catholic dioceses in the United States designate Jan. 22 as a “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children”.
In their statement, the nine bishops of Florida acknowledged that the Church's teaching on abortion is continuously proving to be prophetic. "Our nation is increasingly rejecting abortion and Roe v. Wade as states continue to adopt more limitations on abortion and expand alternatives to abortion," said the bishops.
The bishops also recognized, “there is still much work to be done.” The privacy clause in Florida's constitution poses unique challenges regarding abortion laws in our state. Florida courts have invoked a broad interpretation of the right to privacy to block good laws that seek to protect mothers and their defenseless children in their wombs from the harm of abortion.
Laws that received judicial scrutiny based on the privacy clause include requiring a 24-hour reflection period prior to abortion, which is pending appeal, and parental consent prior to a minor's abortion. "We advocate for the reconsideration of these decisions, and we remain hopeful that the courts will ultimately protect women in Florida from the predatory practices of the abortion industry," stated the bishops.
Read and print the full statement of the bishops of Florida on the 46th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade in English and Spanish.
Additionally, as part of our Culture of Life Brochure Series, a new resource on Florida's privacy clause is available in English and Spanish.