Massachusetts Bishops: Eliminating ‘Any Legal Restraint’ on Abortion ‘Gravely Immoral’
The Catholic bishops of Massachusetts warn removing “any legal restraint on late-term abortion” is a “radical measure which is gravely immoral.”
In a letter dated July 29, 2026, Massachusetts’ Catholic bishops spoke out forcefully against the “Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act” (H. 5595), an extreme bill that removed the state’s remaining restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks and permits abortion up until birth.
Governor Maura Healey, who identifies as Catholic and lesbian, signed the bill into law on Monday, August 10. She posted a video of herself signing the legislation on X, surrounded by smiling women applauding the expansion of legalized death for preborn infants.
The advance of H. 5595 through the Massachusetts Legislature prompted the state’s Catholic bishops to speak out.
“As Catholic bishops we have a moral responsibility to present and uphold Catholic teaching and the sacred God-given dignity of every human life from conception to the natural death,” they wrote.
“The … elimination of any legal restraint on late-term abortion is, in our judgement, a radical measure which is gravely immoral.”
The bishops added,
You can read the letter in full below:
Popular Catholic Bishop Robert Barron, bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, rebuked Gov. Healey’s decision to sign the bill into law.
“Please understand what this [law] means. A fully-formed child, moments before exiting the birth canal, can be eviscerated, chopped into pieces, have its head crushed or skin burned off — all under the full protection of Massachusetts law,” the bishop warned.
He continued:
CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt has written an open letter to the Massachusetts Catholic bishops asking them whether Gov. Healey’s actions incurred her an automatic excommunication under the Church’s canon law.
From its inception, the Catholic Church has taught that abortion is “gravely contrary to the moral law.”
“Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life,” the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches.
Whether Gov. Healey’s bishops will take any further action remains unclear. In the meantime, preborn babies in Massachusetts have no legal protections or guarantees for their right to life. That is a great tragedy.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth” (Psalm 139: 13-15).
If you are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and want to learn more about your options, you can visit My Choice Network.
Related articles and resources:
Dealing With Unplanned Pregnancy
Become an Option Ultrasound Life Advocate
New Insights on the Dangers of the Abortion Pill
Overcoming Abortion and Becoming a Force for Life
How You Can Join the Pro-Life Movement
Scriptures Advocating For The Pre-Born
The History of Christianity and Abortion
Massachusetts Removes Abortion Restrictions, Allows Abortion Up to Birth
Massachusetts House Passes Bill Legalizing Abortion Until Birth
Photo from Gov. Healey’s Office.
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