July 6, 2021
My dear friends in Christ:
I am writing to request your help.
As you may know, Congress is on the verge of removing the Hyde Amendment from next year’s federal budget, forcing taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions for the first time in over 45 years.
When our government offers to pay for an abortion instead of providing resources needed for a mother to care for her baby, it is not “choice,” but coercion. Taxpayer dollars would be far better spent supporting women in crisis pregnancies and struggling new mothers so that no woman ever feels economic pressure to have an abortion.
Because of the incredibly high stakes, Congress needs to hear from as many people as possible before it votes on taxpayer-funded abortion during the second half of July. If we fail to generate sufficient grassroots support for the Hyde Amendment, Congress may conclude that taxpayer-funded abortion is popular.
The USCCB has launched a campaign for Catholics to raise their voices in opposition to government-funded abortions. The goal is for millions of Catholics to sign the petition on NoTaxpayerAbortion.com by July 16, 2021.
I invite the people of our Diocese to join this nationwide effort. Its success and the lives of countless people depend on each of us doing our part.
As Pope Francis has said, “The future of humanity … is fundamentally in the hands of peoples and in their ability to organize.” It is critically important for Catholics to send a clear message before Congress moves forward to impose taxpayer-funded abortion.
With every best wish, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano,
Bishop of Bridgeport
