On this snowy post-election day, Americans wake to a flurry of news: newly elected officials, new laws, new challenges and plenty of change.
Nationally, officials project that Donald J. Trump has been elected to a second, non-consecutive term as President of the United States. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, Archbishop of Denver, congratulated the new President-elect and urged the faithful to pray for him, no matter who they voted for.
“We congratulate President-elect Trump on his election and encourage all people of faith to join us in prayer for all our leaders,” the archbishop said. “We are called to pray for our elected officials, even if they are not who we personally voted for. St. Paul exhorts us that ‘supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions…’ (1 Tim 2:1-2).
“So, we pray that all our elected officials, especially President-elect Trump, might lead with justice and compassion and work tirelessly for the common good in our communities, country and world. May their leadership be rooted in humble service, respecting the dignity of human life, and bring peace, unity and prosperity to our nation and world.”
Here in Colorado, much of that newness is filled with grief for Catholic Coloradans. Officials project that Amendment 79 and Amendment J will pass, changing our State Constitution to include a so-called “Right to Abortion” and removing the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. Additionally, it is projected that Amendment 80 will be defeated, which would have recognized parents’ fundamental right to direct their children’s education.
“Along with thousands of Coloradans, I grieve the passing of Amendment 79,” Archbishop Aquila said. “The passage of this radical, dangerous pro-abortion Amendment to our State Constitution is a travesty of justice, ignoring the natural law. When we neglect the defense of the unborn, we erode the very foundation upon which every society stands, the dignity of human life, and we place in jeopardy every other fundamental right that God has given us.”
The other three Colorado bishops joined Archbishop Aquila in lamenting the passing of Amendment 79 through the Colorado Catholic Conference, the united voice of the Colorado bishops in public policy.
“The Colorado bishops lament the passage of Amendment 79, which codifies unrestricted and unregulated abortion for all nine months of pregnancy in the state constitution and will result in the deaths of millions more babies, hurt mothers and families,” they said in a statement provided the Denver Catholic.
As previously reported, Amendment 79 will remove parental notification laws, permit late-term abortions on healthy babies and healthy mothers, and clear the way for taxpayer-funded abortions for in-state and out-of-state women.
In addition to grieving the challenges to the dignity of life now facing Coloradans, Archbishop Aquila expressed disappointment in the passing of Amendment J and the defeat of Amendment 80.
“With the passage of Amendment J, we witness the removal of the definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman from our State’s Constitution. Our faith teaches us that marriage is a lifelong, sacred bond between one man and one woman and reflects God’s design from the dawn of creation. Marriage is a gift and blessing given by our Creator to man and woman prior to the fall and original sin. This constitutional change moves us away from the reality of what marriage is and weakens the foundation of family and society,” he said of Amendment J’s passing.
“I am also disappointed in the defeat of Amendment 80, which would have protected in the State Constitution parents’ right to direct their children’s education in accordance with their values and their children’s needs. Our faith teaches us that every person has “an inalienable right to an education” (Gravissimum Educationis, 4) and that parents are the primary educators of their children. Parents’ freedom to exercise this foundational role is paramount for our community, society, Church and country,” he continued, reacting to the defeat of Amendment 80.
The Colorado Catholic Conference echoed Archbishop Aquila’s disappointment on the loss of Amendment 80, noting its accordance with Catholic Social Teaching and the danger its defeat poses for Coloradans.
The passage and defeat of these Amendments changes the landscape of Colorado for years to come. Most significantly, Amendment 79’s passing will fundamentally alter the pro-life movement in Colorado and is only the latest, albeit most severe, challenge to the fostering of a culture of life across the state. Nonetheless, pro-life Coloradans remain committed to compassionately serving women, children and families in a “culture of death.”
“Although we are deeply disappointed by the passage of Amendment 79, our commitment to the pro-life mission remains unwavering,” said Jeannine Duffield, director of Respect Life Denver, a ministry of Catholic Charities. “Pro-life Colorado—the statewide coalition strengthened throughout this fight—is now larger and more united than ever. We will continue to work tirelessly to build a culture of life in Colorado, protecting women, children, and families every step of the way.”
“With the passage of this Amendment, we must recommit ourselves to the important work of defending life from conception to natural death,” Archbishop Aquila added. “As our state has embraced a culture of death, we must persevere in faith, hope and charity to build a culture of life.”
The Colorado Catholic Conference echoed Archbishop Aquila and Duffield’s sentiments in their statement, saying:
“We are thankful for the diverse and broad coalition, Pro-Life Colorado and others, who opposed Amendment 79 with their talent, passion, and financial gifts. The three Catholic dioceses are committed to do our part to advocate for the sanctity of life of preborn children and freedom of conscience and expression – especially for parents who will lose their rights and taxpayers forced to pay for abortion procedures and travel. We will also continue to assist pregnant mothers and families experiencing unexpected pregnancies through the ongoing expansion of medical services, housing, counseling, and resources, both during their pregnancy and after. The fight for life in Colorado is not over, and we will continue to work with the Pro-Life Colorado coalition to cultivate a culture of life in our state.”
Although the election results are difficult, Archbishop Aquila said he—along with the Archdiocese of Denver and faithful across the state—remains committed to preaching the Truth in charity, serving our neighbors and fostering a culture of life.
“Despite the defeat of Amendment 80, we remain committed to the holistic education of our children, that they might grow in intellect and faith and come to know the God who loves them more than they can imagine,” Archbishop Aquila said of Amendment 80.
“We hold all people in respect and compassion and reassert each person’s dignity as children of God. In a spirit of charity–that is, care for souls–we also remain committed to upholding the true meaning of marriage and family as profound gifts from God,” the archbishop continued, speaking on Amendment J’s passage.
Archbishop Aquila concluded as he began: with gratitude to those who have worked and continue to work tirelessly in service of the vulnerable and asking Coloradans to join him in prayer.
“I am grateful to all those individuals who, day in and day out, offer compassionate, pro-life care to countless women, children and families across our state,” the archbishop said. “I am especially grateful for the work of our very own Catholic Charities of Denver, Marisol Women’s Services and Bella Health + Wellness, who are at the forefront of this effort in Colorado. I also want to thank my brother bishops, priests and deacons throughout Colorado, and the many pro-life groups that united to work tirelessly to educate people about what this amendment really meant.
“I pray that Coloradans will join me in continuing to intercede for and work toward the promotion of the dignity of human life from conception through natural death. In a special way, I pray for women and families who might experience an unplanned or challenging pregnancy, that they might be met with compassion and professionalism, and that they might be able to receive appropriate care for themselves and the children they carry.
May the Lord Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, he who is our King, continue to illumine our hearts and minds, that we may follow him on the way, preaching his Truth so that all might have life, and have it more abundantly for the common good,” he concluded.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include a statement from the Colorado Catholic Conference on Amendment 80’s defeat.
