WASHINGTON, DC –– His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, issued a pastoral letter on Friday condemning recent actions by the U.S. Senate and the Biden Administration easing access to abortion in VA medical centers and among the active-duty U.S. Military.
In the letter Archbishop Broglio says in part:
“I write today deeply saddened that last week, in a 51-48 vote, the Senate let stand the Administration’s new Department of Veterans Affairs’ rule that provides for abortion at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers in certain circumstances. In parallel, the Administration is also implementing a Department of Defense policy which mandates federal funding for abortion travel and compels military commanders to authorize such undertakings.
“The policy and rule, now in effect, are morally repugnant and incongruent with the Gospel which the faithful are commissioned to share throughout the world (Mt 28:19). Moreover, the new DOD policy and VA rule fail to incorporate basic conscience protections, thus creating First Amendment pitfalls for military commanders and VA employees.”
Archbishop Broglio calls on the faithful to take action of their own in response to this unconstitutional overreach on the part of the Senate and the Administration: (1) continue to advocate for human life and to refuse any participation in the evil of abortion; (2) exercise radical solidarity with mothers and families experiencing a challenging pregnancy; and (3) participate in and support compassionate, post-abortive healing ministries, such as Project Rachel, so that those who have experienced abortion may receive healing and spiritual renewal through Christ’s infinite mercy.
Read Archbishop Broglio’s pastoral letter in full here.
