Archbishop Pérez responds to court ruling on public funding for abortion in Pennsylvania
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said on Apr. 23 that he is deeply disturbed by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania’s recent decision overturning the state’s ban on public funding for elective abortions. Pérez said the ruling compels taxpayers to fund abortions and declares a constitutional right to end unborn life.
The issue is significant because it affects both public policy and moral beliefs about life and its protection. The archbishop emphasized Catholic teaching, saying, “As Catholics, we believe that life is God’s most precious gift and that we share a responsibility to uphold its sanctity for all people from conception to natural death.”
Pérez also highlighted the Church’s broader commitment: “The Church’s strong commitment in this regard is a holistic one. We advocate strongly for the unborn, who cannot speak for themselves. At the same time, we work tirelessly to care for the needs of the hungry, the poor, the sick, the immigrant, the elderly, the oppressed, and all those who are marginalized with dignity and grace.” The Archdiocese of Philadelphia provides outreach through agencies such as Nutritional Development Services and Catholic Social Services as part of its community support efforts according to the official website.
The Archdiocese functions as a metropolitan see in Pennsylvania within the Roman Catholic Church structure and oversees suffragan dioceses in its region according to its official website. It serves more than 1.3 million Catholics across its area according to official data, with its main worship site being the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul as reported by church sources.
Since his installation in 2020 as tenth archbishop according to church records, Pérez has led efforts focused on spreading faith communities and assisting others through charitable work as outlined by church information. He concluded his statement with hope: “It is my hope and prayer that immediate action will be taken to reinstate the ban on public funding for abortions, and that all Pennsylvanians will work to sustain a true culture of respect for life.”
