US bishops oppose drafting women, recommend pro-life policies in letter to Congress
-
by
Param Singh
- No Comments on US bishops oppose drafting women, recommend pro-life policies in letter to Congress
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) voiced opposition to a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require women to register for the military draft. They also reiterated their support for pro-life policies.
In the Dec. 4 letter addressed to congressional leaders, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, and Bishop Mark Seitz emphasized the importance of preserving the option of military service for women rather than making it mandatory.
“The USCCB has long held that the practice of making military service an option for women, but not an obligation, has served us well as a society,” the bishops wrote, citing a 1980 statement on the issue.
They continued, “As a result, we oppose the Senate bill’s provision requiring women be automatically registered to the Selective Service.”
Additionally, the bishops restated their 2023 call for Congress to reject policies allowing federal funding for abortion through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD), advocating instead for measures that protect life and support families.