Deborah Brocato
debbrocato@aol.com
410-440-6348
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you"
Jeremiah 1:5
AMENDMENT TO THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION ON THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT:
Declaration of Rights – Right to Reproductive Freedom – Wording that will be added to the Maryland Constitution if passed by the voters:
THAT EVERY PERSON, AS A CENTRAL COMPONENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHTS TO LIBERTY AND EQUALITY, HAS THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ABILITY TO MAKE AND EFFECTUATE DECISIONS TO PREVENT, CONTINUE, OR END ONE’S OWN PREGNANCY. THE STATE MAY NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, DENY, BURDEN, OR ABRIDGE THE RIGHT UNLESS JUSTIFIED BY A COMPELLING STATE INTEREST ACHIEVED BY THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS.
HERE'S THE DECEPTION: The ballot wording, which has not been finalized, does not match the amendment language. The wording will be the following or similar (question # has not been assigned):
Question ____ Constitutional Amendment
The proposed amendment confirms an individual’s fundamental right to an individual’s own reproductive liberty and provides the State may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.
[ ] For the constitutional amendment
[ ] Against the constitutional amendment
Here's the history:March – 5th month
St. Mary’s Respect Life Committee has placed the 5th “Little One” poster in the vestibule of the church. Our “Spiritually Adopted” babies are at the half-way point to being born. Babies at this gestational age have survived a premature birth. Yet these viable infants are at the mercy of outside forces – including their own mothers – as to whether they will live or die. Please continue to pray for your “adopted” Little One!
The following text is on the poster:
Fifth Month (size: about 12 inches)
This month marks the half-way point to birth, and the baby is very active. Sleep habits develop and his mother can feel him move and stretch, particularly when she is resting. He is big and strong enough to kick hard against the outside uterine wall and dent it. Up to now, although he swam with ease in his watery world, he was too small for her to detect because the outside wall of the uterus has no feeling. Babies born at this age have survived.
Abortion is the most significant human rights abuse of our time.
“As our country continues to advance along the path to a more just society, we cannot ignore the discrimination that is taking place against vulnerable unborn babies who some view as “less than” others. In order to create a more just society, we must recognize that equality begins in the womb.”
The right to life is a human right. Our defense of that right is a joyful witness to the beauty and dignity of every human person.
The March for Life is an inspiring, peaceful, vibrant, and joy-filled rally of women, men, young people, and children from all across the country. Every year, tens of thousands of pro-lifers converge on the National Mall and march on Capitol Hill on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling which legalized abortion in all 50 states. It’s the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world. But this is not just a protest… TOGETHER, WE GATHER TO CELEBRATE LIFE. We celebrate each and every life, from the moment of conception. We envision a world where every life is celebrated, valued, and protected.
God, Our Father, Giver of Life,
We entrust our nation to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.
Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nations's leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will.
Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the "culture of death." Lead us into a new millenium of life. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Hail Guardian of the Redeemer, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to you God entrusted His only Son, in you Mary placed her trust, with you Christ became man, blessed Joseph to us, too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage and defend us from every evil.
Amen.