Ohio voters on Tuesday dealt a significant blow to Catholic bishops and activists, thwarting their efforts to prevent the constitutionalization of abortion rights in the state.
Despite an unprecedented effort that saw the Catholic Church in Ohio spending over $1.7 million, the majority of voters approved Issue 1, affirming the right to an abortion through fetal viability, approximately 24 weeks.
Ohio Church Mobilization Against Issue 1
The church’s campaign against Issue 1 was marked by fervent opposition to abortion, with priests delivering sermons, bishops attending fundraisers, and Catholics engaging in door-to-door outreach, distributing flyers, and contributing extra funds to oppose the amendment.
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati alone contributed more than $1 million to the Protect Women Ohio political action committee, while the Diocese of Columbus and Diocese of Cleveland provided $500,000 and $200,000, respectively.
Despite the Catholic Church’s strong stance against abortion, the election results aligned closely with national polls, indicating that around 6 in 10 Americans believe abortion should be legal in some or all cases.
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Catholic Opinion on Abortion
Notably, Pew Research Center polls reveal that Catholics’ opinions on abortion are similar to those of the general population, with approximately 56% supporting legal access to abortion in some or all cases.
The Enquirer’s analysis of the election results and the U.S. Religion Census revealed that in several Ohio counties with significant Catholic populations, a majority of voters supported Issue 1. Hamilton County, with a Catholic population of 21%, notably backed the amendment by a wide margin, with 65% voting in favor.
Catholics for Choice, an organization supporting Issue 1, criticized the bishops’ extensive spending against the amendment.
The group’s president, Jamie L. Manson, stated that the victory demonstrated the disconnect between Ohio’s bishops and the lives of those they serve, urging an end to the perpetuation of stigma and shame surrounding abortion.
The outcome of Ohio’s vote on Issue 1 underscores the complexity of aligning religious teachings with public opinion, highlighting the diverse perspectives within Catholic communities and the broader electorate on issues as contentious as abortion rights.
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