Dear Prince of Peace Families,
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~Romans 12:21
This is a defining moment for the Church in Kansas. On Tuesday, August 2nd, we have the opportunity to do something that will directly save lives and protect the health and safety of women who may be frightened and overwhelmed due to an unplanned or challenging pregnancy. I am asking you to Vote YES for the Value Them Both Amendment.
We all know that abortion can be an emotional and divisive topic. However, I believe that if people take the time to fully understand the amendment, they would support it. I also understand that this topic may be very painful for those who have been hurt by abortion. I invite anyone in need to experience the healing mercy of Jesus through our Project Rachel & Joseph ministries (ProjectRachelKC.org).
In a 2019 ruling, the KS Supreme Court took away the people’s voice to have a say in abortion policy in our state. In its own words, all of our existing duly passed laws are now “presumed unconstitutional,” essentially unenforceable and at risk of being struck down by abortion industry lawsuits.
Are there limits and regulations of the industry on the books right now? Yes, but they are like sand castles on a beach, about to be washed away if we do not pass Value Them Both. Already two of our laws have been sued and struck down – the 2015 Ban on Live-Dismemberment Abortion and the 2011 Abortion Clinic Licensing and Inspection Law. This ruling has cleared the path for unlimited abortion in unregulated facilities paid for by tax dollars.
Voting YES will restore our KS Constitution, simply returning it to the way it was before the Supreme Court made its ruling, and thereby safeguarding our existing restrictions on the industry such as:
• no tax-payer and late-term, extreme procedures
• the parental notification law that prevents minor girls from being dropped off at an abortion facility without a parent being notified (and thereby enabling abusers, rapists and human traffickers)
• The Woman’s Right to Know Act which requires that women be given thorough information about her baby and abortion risks and alternatives.
Voting YES will protect these common-sense restrictions. Voting NO ensures that all limits could be struck down by abortion industry lawsuits, making Kansas an abortion haven like New York or California in the Midwest.
Unfortunately, the opposition is intentionally confusing people with misinformation. First Value Them Both does not ban all abortion. After Value Them Both passes, abortion will still be legal in Kansas and the Church will need to increase our help to women through our Gabriel Project and Walking With Moms in Need Ministries.
Their ads are also scaring women into thinking they will not be able to receive treatment for ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages or other pregnancy complications. This could not be further from the truth. Value Them Both addresses abortion policy. Medical treatments for these heartbreaking situations are not considered abortions and every abortion limit in Kansas has protection for the life of the mother. This will not change if Value Them Both passes.
The fact is, without Value Them Both, Kansas will become a destination state for unlimited abortion in unregulated facilities. Already over half of all abortions in KS are done on women coming here from out of state and the abortion industry itself is predicting a 1300% growth of their industry in Kansas if they can defeat Value Them Both.
Let’s not let that happen. In Kansas, we value both child and woman, and we as Christians, are called to defend the vulnerable among us. Every life is indeed a precious gift from God and women deserve better than abortion.
Implore the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the unborn, and St. Joseph, defender of all life, in your prayers for the successful passage of the Value Them Both Amendment. Vote YES early or on August 2nd.
God bless you,
Fr. Greg
Visit www.archkck.org/ValueThemBoth for more detailed information.