Bulletin Series on New York State Proposal One 2024 to Amend State Constitution
“You formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, because I am wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works!
My very self you know.”
On the New York State ballot for November 5, 2024 is Proposal 1 to amend the state constitution. The following is a series of six bulletin articles written against this proposal.
Bulletin articles for NYS Proposal One for the Equal Rights Amendment
By Fr. Jeffrey S. Tunnicliff
Please note that these articles are written to include reference to some verse(s) from the readings at Mass of the date noted before the article.
Fr. Jeff grants permission for anyone to use these articles in their parish bulletins, websites, or on social media to speak against New York State’s Proposal 1 on the ballot for November 5, 2024.
September 29, 2024
Doing Our Part for the Common Good
(Part One in a Series on the Election and NYS Proposal One 2024)
In today’s first reading (Numbers 11:25) we read, “Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, the Lord bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came to rest of them, they prophesized.” In Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit and are sealed with the Spirit at Confirmation. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us when we vote.
In their statement on NYS Proposal 1 to amend our NYS Constitution, our NYS Bishops write, “we must participate in the public square for the sake of the common good. Every Catholic is called to do the work of properly informing his or her conscience” (https://www.nyscatholic.org/posts/proposal-1-wolf-sheeps-clothing, cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1913-1915).
Pope Francis recently spoke of how the presidential candidates for both major parties are against life. In NYS, we have Proposal 1 to change our state constitution. In the coming weeks, we will have a series of articles on the election and life.
You can find more information on our diocesan website for life - https://www.liferoc.org/
You can learn more about Catholic pro-life teaching in Fr. Jeff’s video series, Treating Life with Dignity and Love https://renewaloffaith.org/treating-life-with-dignity-and-love/
October 6, 2024
Respect Life Sunday
(Part Two in a Series on the Election
and NYS Proposal One 2024)
Life is a gift from God. At times life may seem inconvenient or one of suffering. Jesus suffered for us in his Passion. God can use our suffering for good. Those who want to be able to end life when it is not convenient or when it comes with suffering have helped put Proposal 1 on the NYS state ballot. In their statement on this proposal, the NYS Bishops write, “Aside from being redundant in a state that already has stripped away all abortion limitations, the amendment would render impossible any change to the law if the hearts and minds of New Yorkers were ever to shift toward protecting the child in the womb” (https://www.nyscatholic.org/posts/proposal-1-wolf-sheeps-clothing).
NYS Proposal 1 would also enshrine gender ideology into our state constitution. In today’s readings (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:8). we hear how God sought a “suitable partner for the man.” The suitable partner was a woman “and the two of them become one flesh.” We must support in faith those who may struggle with their gender identity by pointing them to how God created things to be, not away from it. (For more reading on this, see Fr. Jeff’s page, “Catholic Morality and Sexuality” at https://renewaloffaith.org/catholic-morality-and-sexuality/)
October 13, 2024
Asking God to Guide Our Vote
(Part Three in a Series on the Election
and NYS Proposal One 2024)
Our first reading today (Wisdom 7:7) begins, “I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.” In this election year, prayer is absolutely essential. We need to pray for prudence and wisdom for ourselves and all in our nation who vote this year.
We also need to pray for the candidates. Election campaigning is very negative and angry. They seek to get our vote by making us hate the other candidate. The U.S. Bishops write, “But increasing, it seems, election seasons are a time of anxiety and spiritual trial. Political rhetoric is increasing angry, seeking to motivate primarily through divinization and hatred.” (USCCB, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States with New Introductory Note. (USCCB: Washington, DC. 2023. https://www.usccb.org/offices/justice-and-peace/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship).
As you pray about your vote, you should be aware that the wording on NYS Proposal 1 that you will read on the ballot is not the exact wording of what will be passed. The wording leaves something to be desired when it speaks of “pregnancy outcomes” and “reproductive healthcare” without mentioning this includes allowing abortion. We must support the mother. We must also support the baby. The baby receives the gift of life at conception.
You can read the wording of Proposal 1 as you will find it on the ballot and in its entirety at https://elections.ny.gov/2024-statewide-ballot-proposal .
October 20, 2024
Are Teens Mature Enough to Make These Decisions?
(Part Four in a Series on the Election
and NYS Proposal One 2024)
In today’s gospel reading (Mark 10:35-45), James and John came to Jesus seeking places of honor. Jesus responds by speaking of the cup He must drink. It is the cup of his blood, his suffering. Life is not always easy but it is better when we ask God for the prudence and wisdom to show us how to live and accept our sufferings.
Teens are not allowed to vote. They are legally prohibited from drinking or smoking. They need a permission slip to go on a school trip. Yet NYS Proposal 1 would give them the right to have an abortion or transition their gender without parental consent. In their statement on NYS Proposal One, our NYS Bishops alert us, “The amendment’s sweeping language and inclusion of “age” as a protected class could also lead to parents’ rights being stripped away” (https://www.nyscatholic.org/posts/proposal-1-wolf-sheeps-clothing). It seems our NYS Bishops are right when they call Proposal 1 a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” (see Matthew 7:15). As they also say, the name “Equal Rights Amendment” “suggests a noble case” yet what it could achieve is not noble to God.
If we want to support women who are pregnant, we do so by making sure they receive proper medical care to ensure the birth of their child as well as their own health. We help with food, clothing, and shelter during the pregnancy, and after. If we want to support those who struggle with their gender, we do so with truth and love, not saying whatever they think is okay.
October 27, 2024
Seeking to See as God Sees
(Part Five in a Series on the Election
and NYS Proposal One 2024)
In today’s gospel (Mark 10:46-52), a blind man named Bartimeaus comes to Jesus and says, “Master, I want to see. Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.”
We need to pray for God to give us spiritual eyesight to see his truth. There are people today who say there is no universal truth. They are called relativists. Yet, there is truth and it will set you free (John 8:32). God is the source of this truth.
The supporters of NYS Proposal 1 are people who identify as “pro-choice.” Yet, there is no allowance for conscientious objection by healthcare workers who are told abortions and gender transition surgeries must be offered to anyone who wants them. For more on this check out https://www.nyscatholic.org/posts/proposal-1-wolf-sheeps-clothing.
November 3, 2004
It is Time to Vote. Please Pray Before You Vote
(Part Six in a Series on the Election
and NYS Proposal One 2024)
Election Day is this Tuesday. Please pray that everyone exercises their right and duty to vote and that they do so with a well-formed conscience (include in your prayers those who have already voted).
Please pray for yourself as you vote. As you make your choice, think of these words from today’s first reading (Moses 6:2-6), “Moses spoke to the people, saying: “Fear the LORD, your God, and keep, throughout the days of your lives, all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you, and thus have long life. Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them, that you may grow and prosper the more, in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers, to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.”
Ask yourself how Jesus would vote.
Then, as we move past Election Day, please pray for an end to the divisions in our country, for genuine dialogue, and for truth. For more on a better way of politics, see https://civilizeit.org/.
Related links on Renewal of Faith:
- Treating Life with Dignity and Love
- "Towards Dignity and Truth: Compassionate Dialogue on Homosexuality"
- Towards Dignity and Truth: Compassionate Dialogue and Pastoral Response on Transgenderism
- These articles and much more are listed on our "Catholic Morality and Sexuality" page