Faith Organizations Urge President Obama to End Helms Amendment

Today, Catholics for Choice joined 30 other faith-based organizations in a letter to President Obama, urging him to take immediate action and end the implementation of the harsh Helms Amendment that all but eliminates access to safe and legal abortion for many.

“Helms hurts the most vulnerable people first and worst, denying them the right to decide what is best for their lives and families,” said Sara Hutchinson Ratcliffe, domestic program director at Catholics for Choice.

“As a Catholic, I cannot stand by as the needs of the most vulnerable are ignored. Everyone deserves to have the healthcare they need, no matter their zip code or what is in their wallet. Catholics and our partners in faith urge Obama to issue guidance to USAID and the State Department to allow abortion services in the cases of rape, incest and life endangerment.

“The Obama administration has repeatedly listened to the bishops and other extremist religious voices, rather than listening to the majority of people of faith who want sexual and reproductive freedom guaranteed for themselves and everybody else. Out of fear of upsetting ultraconservatives, the administration has done nothing to alleviate the harm caused by Helms, despite six years of pleading from a chorus of advocates.

“The faith community calls on Obama to make this change now. Vulnerable girls and women deserve no less.”

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