Key Takeaways:
– Abortion debate heated up following U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
– Catholic bishops spend less on anti-abortion campaigns in 2024 compared to previous years.
– Out of the 10 states with abortion-related measures, bishops are financially supporting campaigns in only three.
– The lack of financial support indicates an acceptance of potential defeat on the anti-abortion front.
Catholic Bishops Reducing Spending on Anti-Abortion Campaigns
The landmark Roe v. Wade decision of 1973, which granted a nationwide right to abortion, drew significant opposition, primarily from Catholics rather than white evangelical Protestants. Fast-forward to the present day, the issue of abortion continues to intensify among Catholics in America under the backdrop of the 2022 reversal of Roe by the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
However, there’s been a marked decline in the financial support offered by Catholic bishops in the fight against abortion. This was particularly evident during the 2024 election year, where bishops were seen spending millions of dollars less on anti-abortion campaigns compared to previous years.
The State of Abortion Measures in 2024
Ten states had abortion-related ballot measures up for voting in the 2024 elections. Surprisingly, the Catholic bishops chose to back funding against these measures in only three of these states, a stark contrast to their consistent funding in the past. This shift has been interpreted as their acceptance of a potential defeat in the anti-abortion initiative.
The emphasis on preserving abortion rights was prioritized in the 2024 ballot measures of the ten states. This was a rise by four measures when compared to 2022, the first election year after Roe was overturned and the states were given control over abortion laws.
Financial Contributions: A Significant Dip
When combined, the donations made by bishops in these ten states barely crossed the $1 million mark. To put things into perspective, a single Kansas archdiocese spent more than $3.6 million in 2022. This noticeable decrease in spending on anti-abortion initiatives is indicative of a serious shift in the Catholic Church’s strategy.
Jamie Morris, executive director of the Missouri Catholic Conference, admitted the lack of large funding and acknowledged the pro-life community’s struggle with success in such ballot initiatives.
Disparity in Financial Support for Anti-Abortion Campaigns
The majority of the funds allocated by Catholic bishops for the 2024 elections were directed towards Florida, nearly $1 million to be exact, making the bishops one of the largest donors in the state. Yet, it’s interesting to note that public filings indicate only two other states with financial aid from the bishops: Colorado and Missouri.
The bishops have donated $50,000 to Colorado and even less, $30,006, to Missouri. In Missouri, the state’s Catholic conference and its five dioceses each contributed $5,001 to the Missouri Stands With Women organization, opposing the anti-abortion ballot measure.
Moving Forward
The abortion debate has been a contentious issue among Catholics and Protestants alike since the Roe v. Wade judgement. However, with the trend of dwindling financial support from the Catholic Church on anti-abortion campaigns, the future of this debate remains uncertain. Even as devout Catholics like President Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continue to voice their displeasure about the overthrow of Roe, the church’s financial priorities seem to hint towards an inevitable acceptance of defeat on this polarizing issue.