The Catholic bishops of Massachusetts have released a statement opposing a proposed law that would loosen restrictions on late-term abortions.

The bill, which passed the House of Representatives on July 22, would allow doctors to perform abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy if they deem it medically necessary. In Massachusetts, which has some of the most permissive abortion laws in the nation, abortions after 24 weeks are only allowed to preserve the patient’s life or their physical or mental health, or in cases of lethal or severe fetal abnormalities. If S. 1563, “An Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care,” is passed by the State Senate, late-term abortions could be performed “based upon the professional judgment of the physician.” The measure would also eliminate the requirement that late-term abortions be performed in a hospital setting.

The full text of the Bishop’s Statement:

July 29, 2026

Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts Statement Against Late-term Abortion Bill

On July 22, 2026, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation which removed all remaining legal limits on late-term abortions in the Commonwealth. In these final days of the legislative session the Massachusetts Senate is considering the same question of late-term abortions. Late-term in this case means abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy and up until the birth of the child.

As Catholic bishops we have a moral responsibility to present and uphold Catholic teaching and the sacred God-given dignity of every human life from conception to the natural death.

The proposed elimination of any legal restraint on late-term abortion is, in our judgement, a radical measure which is gravely immoral. Our hope is that the state Senate will not follow the House on this measure.

Life is beautiful! We invite the Catholic community to pray for a renewal of reverence for all human life. We reaffirm the Church’s call to its own community and to civil society to provide the resources to welcome and cherish the gift of life, as well as to accompany women and families who have known the tragedy of abortion. Let there be room in our hearts for the most vulnerable among us. May we recall and live the Lord's own word "whatsoever you do to the least of these you do to me."

We join Pope Leo in his prayer intentions for the month of July as he implored the Lord Jesus to help us love life as He does, “with tenderness, fidelity, and self-giving.” We uphold his call, “May we proclaim, in words and action, that every human life is worth the total gift of ourselves.”

+Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Archbishop of Boston

+ Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester

+Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, Bishop of Fall River

+Most Reverend William D. Byrne, Bishop of Springfield

Haitian Catholics are an important part of the family of the Archdiocese of Boston. Many of them benefit from Temporary Protected Status, a program established by Congress to give refuge to those who are fleeing natural disasters or violence.

The Administration has decided to terminate that protected status for more than 6,100 Syrians and more than 300,000 Haitians in the United States despite the ongoing instability and dangerous conditions facing many in their home countries. Here in the Boston region, Haitian immigrants have made lives, raised families, and have taken critical roles in health care and in other industries.

I respectfully ask that we urge the administration and Congress to prevent this disaster by providing a secure and lasting basis for these refugees. Please see the link below where you can learn more about this matter and consider raising your voice on behalf of the vulnerable.

Please visit the Catholic Charities website where additional information can be found:

https://www.ccab.org/refugee-immigrant-services/immigrant-legal-services/

Archbishop Richard G. Henning:

“Peace be with you!” On the day of his election, Pope Leo XIV greeted the world with these words of the Lord Jesus. Pope Leo has made the summons to compassion and the longing for peace the central focus of his ministry as the Holy Father. He reminds us “blessed are the peacemakers,” and challenges us to find solutions to conflict that uphold human dignity and protect the sanctity of all human life. He speaks in accord with the dignity of his office and in fidelity to his mission. Here in the Archdiocese of Boston, we pray for Pope Leo in every Mass, and we receive his teachings with respect and a listening heart. And we support and pray for our Holy Father in his service to God, to the Church, and to the world. May the peace of God reign in our hearts and in our world.  

Archbishop Henning shared the following message on Pope Leo XIV releasing his first encyclical, ‘Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.’

“Dear Brothers and Sisters, I rejoice with the universal Church as we receive this new Encyclical from Pope Leo XIV. His teaching is timely and important for the People of God and for all men and women of good will. I urge you to read Magnifica Humanitas both for its proclamation of human dignity and its timely summons to protect and promote that dignity.”

To read the encyclical, please visit https://www.vatican.va/.../20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

To read the Vatican News report, please visit https://www.vaticannews.va/.../pope-leo-xiv-encyclical...