Yesterday, a Joint Statement was released by USCCB, by Cardinal Justin Rigali and Bishop William Murphy expanding Catholic position on abortion. It provides an affirmation of the need to provide for the support for women and families facing the challenges of pregnancies as well as seeking reversal of the legal protection to the unborn. This is a major substantive development.
USCCB
The reversal of Roe, "by itself would not automatically grant legal protection to the unborn. It would remove an enormous obstacle to such protection, so the people of the United States and their elected representatives in every state could engage in a genuine discussion of how to save unborn children and their mothers from the tragedy of abortion. Both approaches to opposing abortion are essential. By protecting the child's life to the maximum degree possible, improving life-affirming support for pregnant women, and changing the attitudes and prejudices imposed on many women to make them see abortion as an acceptable or necessary solution, we will truly help build a culture of life."
In this election the two approaches are represented by the two candidates. According to Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the bishops' guide to the election, it is the individual who must weigh their positions in light of the teachings and prayer and conscience. This is Douglas Kmiec, M. Cathleen Kaveny (Notre Dame), and Nicholas Cafardi's position in voicing their support. There are now two paths, though not an either/or, to walk on abortion, according to this statement. This is awesome.
http://www.usccb.org/...
UPDATE: Just to clarify. The Bishops' statement simply broadens its approach to abortion to include, as valid, the social support of women and the unborn child. It does not change its legal advocacy position to reverse Roe. But by broadening the approach it opens the discussion and provides moral space for many who want to see abortion as a choice no women should have to make - it provides an opportunity to weigh in good conscience candidates who present such approaches to their positions on abortion ... Must break for class.