Jerry Vincke, bishop of the Diocese of Salina, is urging Catholics in Kansas not to sit on the sidelines in August and to vote "yes" for the state's Value Them Both amendment.

"Only Kansans like you and I can save our state from the evil of an unregulated abortion industry," Vincke said in a message on the diocese's website. "Voters in the Diocese of Salina and throughout rural Kansas have an extra and particular responsibility to vote 'yes' and offset the anticipated 'no vote' coming from bigger cities." 

Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the issue of abortion on Aug. 2. Kansas will be the first state in the country to offer a vote on abortion access since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the Kansas City Star reported. 

The amendment would overturn a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court ruling that asserted the state's constitution guarantees a woman's right to undergo an abortion. Although churches are typically prohibited from political campaigning, issue-based ballot initiatives are an exception. As a result, Catholic churches across Kansas have advocated and educated voters on the Value Them Both amendment.

This amendment would not ban abortion in Kansas, according to Value Them Both's website. It would, however, leave the door open for lawmakers to enact protections such as restricting second- and third-trimester abortions, which some claim involves dismembering babies. 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes participating in political life as a moral obligation on its website. The church encourages the faithful to be active citizens who use their votes to help shape a world that defends human life and promotes peace. 

"We need you," Vincke said in his message. "Please, get involved. Make sure you are registered to vote. I encourage you to ask for an advance ballot from your local election office. However you do it, please vote 'yes' for Value Them Both."