Catholics in Texas are Prochoice

Catholics in Texas expressed their opposition to SB 1 and HB 2, bills that will limit abortion access across the state, leaving only five abortion clinics and banning most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. An advertisement in the Austin American-Statesman this morning featured statements from some of the many Catholics who have spoken out against the bills in the past few days.

• “I am a Texan, I am a Catholic, I am a mother to two beautiful daughters and I am prochoice.” –JB, Arlington
• “I am a prochoice Texas Catholic because my faith compels me to be so. No one, woman or man, should have medical and moral decisions made for and forced upon them.” –CS, San Antonio

Unfortunately, Catholics have been ill-served by their pastors in the current debate. This morning, the Texas Catholic Conference hosted a protest on the steps of the state capitol in support of SB 1 and HB 2. The bishops’ support for additional restrictions on abortion does not represent the mainstream views of Texas Catholics.

Sara Hutchinson, director of the domestic program at Catholics for Choice, said from Austin today: “Catholics in Texas agree with Senator Sylvia Garcia, who spoke out at the capitol as a prochoice Catholic. Local Catholics for Choice activists have testified during committee hearings to make sure that legislators know that the bishops do not represent us. Senator Garcia and these advocates join the many, including Senator Wendy Davis, who have pushed back against attempts to ignore the reproductive healthcare needs of Texans.”

Recent polls show:

• 74 percent of voters in Texas say that personal, private medical decisions about whether to have an abortion should be made by a woman, her family and her doctor, not by politicians;
• 72 percent of Texas Catholic voters in key districts believe that politicians do not have a religious obligation to vote the way that the bishops recommend;
• 68 percent of Catholics in Texas believe that it is extremely or very important that Texas women have access to family planning and birth control, regardless of their income; and
• A majority of Texans (51 percent) oppose the current legislation.

To arrange an interview with Sara Hutchinson, please contact Claire S. Gould at 202-986-6093 or media [at] catholicsforchoice.org.

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