Colorado bishops express concern over President Obama’s reversal of the Mexico City policy

The Catholic bishops of Colorado released the following statement on Jan. 23.

We are saddened and troubled by President Obama’s reversal today of the Mexico City Policy by executive order.

The Mexico City policy derives from the 1984 United Nations International Conference on Population in Mexico City.  At the time, member nations urged governments to take practical steps “to help women avoid abortion, which in no case should be promoted as a method of family planning, and whenever possible, provide for the humane treatment and counseling of women who have had recourse to abortion.”  This policy bars non-governmental organizations that perform and promote elective abortions from receiving federal tax subsidies for overseas family planning programs.

Promoting abortion as a method of “family planning” violates the beliefs and ethical norms of many foreign cultures.  It is politically invasive; and in the absence of a global demand for more abortions, it is also unnecessary.  Many developed countries have supported the Mexico City Policy and have acknowledged that a central goal of family planning should be to reduce abortion not promote it.

President Obama’s choice to begin his Presidency with an act that will further damage families around the world is profoundly unfortunate.  We urge President Obama to reexamine his stance on this issue, and we encourage all people of good will to work to protect the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

+Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Denver

+Most Rev. James D. Conley, S.T.L.
Auxiliary Bishop of Denver

+Most Rev. Arthur N. Tafoya, D.D
Bishop of Pueblo

+Most Rev. Michael J. Sheridan, S.T.D.
Bishop of Colorado Springs