A Catholic advocacy group is calling on Massachusetts bishops to initiate excommunication proceedings against Governor Maura Healey, a Catholic, following her signing of a law that removes previous restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks, allowing the procedure up to birth. CatholicVote president and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt stated that Healey's actions make her an "accomplice" to abortion under Catholic canon law.
The new law, which took effect on November 8, permits abortions beyond the state's prior 24-week limit, based on a physician's professional judgment. This move reignites a long-standing debate on how Catholic leaders should address Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, a stance that conflicts with Church teachings.
Reinhardt criticized the law, calling it a "barbaric provision" and expressed concern over the reaction of those present at the signing. Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester echoed these sentiments, condemning the law and describing the possibility of late-term abortions as "very disturbing."
CatholicVote argues that the governor's actions create confusion among the faithful and that bishops should confront such public stances that are contrary to the faith. The organization cited the case of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was barred from receiving Holy Communion in 2022 by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco due to her public support for abortion rights.
"It’s certainly a tool that bishops have in their legislative disciplinary toolbox, which is to say, you know, actually you’ve found yourself in a state of grave sin because you’ve publicly advocated for this so I can no longer give you the Holy Sacrament," Reinhardt explained. CatholicVote is urging the Massachusetts bishops to formally declare Healey's excommunication if they determine she has incurred automatic excommunication under canon law.
The group contends that generations of Catholic politicians have used exceptions, such as personal opposition to abortion while supporting abortion rights, which has provided "cover" for such positions. Reinhardt suggested this cover is no longer viable.
This situation echoes past controversies, including the 1984 Notre Dame speech by former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, who argued that Catholic politicians could personally oppose abortion without imposing that view through civil law. CatholicVote believes Healey's recent action forces a confrontation with this issue.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Governor Healey's office and Massachusetts Catholic bishops for comment.