Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The Nebraska Catholic Conference hosted a panel event with a question-and-answer session on September 16 at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ School gymnasium in Lincoln. The event, titled “Unsafe. Unregulated. Un-Nebraskan,” aimed to inform attendees about Initiative 439, a measure on the upcoming ballot that would lead to unregulated abortion throughout Nebraska.

Msgr. Thomas Fucinaro, pastor of the Cathedral, moderated the discussion. The panel featured Bishop James Conley, Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, and Dr. Catherine Brooks, a neonatal intensive care unit physician.

Panelists discussed why they believe Nebraskans should be concerned about Initiative 439. They argued that it would create a right to late-pregnancy abortion, force taxpayers to fund abortions, threaten health and safety regulations, put vulnerable babies at risk, allow abortion facility employees to determine viability, and remove parental rights.

In addition to discussing Initiative 439, panelists addressed Initiative 434—a pro-life ballot measure proposed by medical professionals. This initiative aims to provide protections for preborn babies in the second and third trimesters without affecting Nebraska’s current pro-life law. The existing law protects preborn babies at 12 weeks with exceptions for rape, incest, and medical emergencies while maintaining other health and safety laws enacted over the past five decades.

“Literally before us, I present to you life and death,” Msgr. Fucinaro stated during the event. “That’s what we will, in fact, be doing. We have before us the opportunity to affect what will be the final outcome. It’s a decision that no doubt will affect generations no matter what way it goes.”

For more information on these initiatives, visit www.voteagainst439.com and www.lincolndiocese.org/voteagainst439.