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CatholicVote presses Mass. bishops to declare Healey excommunicated after abortion law
Confirmed
What we know
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Catholic, signed “An Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care” on Aug. 10, 2026. The law removes prior legal restraints on abortion after 24 weeks, allowing physicians to proceed based on professional judgment, and takes effect Nov. 8.
The four Massachusetts Catholic bishops had already called eliminating “any legal restraint” on late-term abortion “gravely immoral” in a July 29 Massachusetts Catholic Conference statement (OSV News).
CatholicVote later pressed the bishops to determine whether Healey incurred automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication as an accomplice under canon law and, if so, to formally declare it — coverage amplified by Fox News Digital and debated in Catholic outlets including The Pillar.
No public announcement from the Massachusetts bishops of a formal excommunication declaration had been reported as of this desk pass.
What's confirmed
- Aug. 10 signing and substance of the late-term access law: OSV News, Boston Herald, Fox News Digital.
- July 29 joint bishops’ statement via Massachusetts Catholic Conference calling the measure gravely immoral.
- CatholicVote’s public call for canonical clarification / declaration is on the record.
What's still developing
- Whether Massachusetts bishops issue any canonical determination or sacramental-discipline guidance regarding Healey.
- Implementation details as the Nov. 8 effective date approaches.