Pennsylvania House Schedules Abortion Legislation Days Before Christmas

Diocese of Erie Office of Communications

12/18/2025

As Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is scheduled to consider a package of seven abortion-related bills in the days leading up to Christmas.

This timing is deeply troubling for many people of faith. Advent and Christmas call us to reflect on the dignity of human life, the gift of new beginnings and God’s presence among the most vulnerable. Yet these proposed measures would significantly expand abortion access in the Commonwealth and weaken existing protections for women, children and families.

What These Bills Would Do

If passed, this legislative package would:

Create legal protections for abortion providers, limiting accountability and preventing families from seeking justice when harm occurs (HB 1640, HB 1641, HB 1643, HB 1966)
Remove longstanding safeguards, including informed consent requirements and the 24-hour waiting period before an abortion (HB 2005)
Allow prosecution of individuals who peacefully offer support and alternatives outside abortion facilities (HB 670)
Amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish abortion as a constitutional right, eliminating parental consent laws and opening the door to taxpayer-funded elective abortions through all nine months of pregnancy (HB 1957)

Take Action: Contact Your Legislator

Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to reach out to their state representatives and respectfully urge them to oppose these bills.

The quickest way to contact your state representative is through the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference’s Voter Voice system:
https://www.votervoice.net/PACC/campaigns/132155/respond
Need help writing a letter?
A sample letter is available through Social Justice and Life at Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Erie.
Not sure who represents you?
Don’t know your representative? Find out here and here.

Pray for Life

Prayer remains at the heart of the Church’s pro-life witness. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers a variety of novenas and rosaries that invite reflection on the sacredness of human life and solidarity with those most in need.

Novenas include:

Rosary resources include:

Additional Ways to Support Life

Raise awareness: Share credible pro-life resources and messages on social media using hashtags such as #ProLife #SupportLife and #DefendLife.
Support life-affirming organizations: Consider donating to or volunteering with organizations that serve pregnant women, children and families, including local pregnancy care centers.
Stay engaged: Continue learning about public policy issues that impact human dignity and participate respectfully in civic dialogue.

As the church celebrates Christ’s coming into the world, this moment calls for prayer, witness and action—grounded in compassion, truth and a commitment to the dignity of every human life.