Virginia Bishop Directs Priests to Read Letter on Ballot Measures

Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington directed priests across the diocese to read a pastoral letter at all Masses this past weekend.

The letter urges Catholics to vote against two proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution concerning abortion and marriage.

This instruction represents an uncommon request from the bishop to all priests in the diocese.

The action occurs ahead of early voting that begins September 18 and Election Day on November 3.

The letter describes the measures as presenting serious legal threats to the sacredness of human life and the sanctity of marriage.

Ballot Question 1 proposes changes that would establish a legal right to unregulated abortions performed at any time during pregnancy.

According to the letter, this could include procedures by unlicensed practitioners and extend to minors without parental consent.

The bishop noted that abortion is already legal in Virginia but argued the amendment goes beyond reasonable limits.

Ballot Question 2 would remove the existing constitutional language defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

The letter states this change would alter the recognition of marriage in line with certain teachings.

Priests in the diocese, which includes more than 70 parishes, delivered the message to parishioners.

The bishop has previously issued statements with Bishop Barry Knestout of Richmond on similar topics.

The pastoral letter calls on Catholics to pledge to vote, make plans for early voting, and discuss the issues with others.

Resources such as CatholicsVoteNo.com are referenced for additional information on the ballot questions.

The diocese serves over 430,000 Catholics in northern Virginia who received this guidance.

The uniform reading of the letter ensures broad dissemination of the bishop's position on the amendments.

Voters will decide the fate of the proposed constitutional changes in the November election.

The amendments emerged from legislative processes in the Virginia General Assembly earlier in the year.

Descriptions in the bishop's letter focus on potential impacts to health standards, parental roles, and definitions of marriage.

The directive aligns with prior communications from the diocese on these ballot measures.

The bishop devoted part of a homily at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Fairfax to the topic.

He highlighted concerns about protections for the unborn, women's health, and parental rights in relation to Ballot Question 1.

For Ballot Question 2, the letter addresses the removal of traditional marriage language from the constitution.

This coordinated pastoral effort marks a significant emphasis on voter education within the diocese.

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Email the Richmond City Council:
Andrew Breton, andrew.breton@rva.gov,
Katherine Jordan, katherine.jordan@rva.gov,
Kenya Gibson, kenya.gibson@rva.gov,
Sarah Abubaker, sarah.abubaker@rva.gov,
Stephanie Lynch, stephanie.lynch@rva.gov,
Ellen Robertson, ellen.robertson@rva.gov,
Cynthia Newbille, cynthia.newbille@rva.gov,
Reva Trammell, reva.trammell@rva.gov,
Nicole Jones, nicole.jones@rva.gov,

Email the Richmond School Board:
Matthew Percival, mpercival@rvaschools.net,
Kathryn Ricard, kricard@rvaschools.net,
Ali Faruk, afaruk@rvaschools.net,
Wesley Hedgepeth, whedgepeth@rvaschools.net,
Stephanie Rizzi, srizzi@rvaschools.net,
Anne Holton, aholton@rvaschools.net,
Cheryl Burke, cburke2@rvaschools.net,
Emmett Jafari, ejafari@rvaschools.net,
Shavonda Fernandez, sdixon@rvaschools.net,