Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference Statement on Arizona Supreme Court Abortion Opinion

April 9, 2024

The Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) respect the life and human dignity of all people, from conception until natural death.  In this regard, we will always stand ready to continue to serve the most vulnerable in our communities, especially preborn children and their mothers.

We acknowledge that today’s opinion by the Arizona Supreme Court on abortion is currently the law of the land.  By a 4-2 decision, the Court ruled that Arizona’s pre-Roe law protecting unborn human life from the moment of conception, with a life of the mother exception, is still valid.  Previously, the Court of Appeals held that the 15-week ban statute overruled the older statute and it will remain in place for at least another 45 days because of a legal order given by a judge in another abortion case.

Nonetheless, we are also aware that a far-reaching pro-abortion initiative is being circulated that, if approved by voters, will ultimately dictate Arizona law in this regard.

This initiative, among other things, would likely remove most safeguards for girls and women that are currently in place at abortion clinics, permit a minor to obtain an abortion without parental involvement or permission, and allow for painful late-term abortions of viable preborn children.  We do not believe that this extreme initiative is what Arizona wants or needs, and we continue to pray that it does not succeed.

Most Rev. John P. Dolan
Bishop of Phoenix

Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger
Bishop of Tucson

Most Rev. James S. Wall
Bishop of Gallup

Most Rev. Eduardo Nevares
Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix