‘Praise be to God’: Extreme abortion is rejected in Nebraska

Nebraska’s three Catholic bishops – and pro-life leaders across the state – reacted on Wednesday to state voters’ rejection of a ballot measure that would have enshrined abortion as a constitutional right.

The bishops began their statement with four simple, joyous words: “Praise be to God …”

In Tuesday’s election, Nebraska voters rejected Initiative 439 and approved an imperfect but more pro-life alternative, Initiative 434.

“Praise be to God for an inspiring victory for Nebraska women and children!” the bishops said in a joint statement following the election. “We are overjoyed at the defeat of Initiative 439 and the success of Initiative 434.

“Nebraskans have sent a clear message to the rest of our nation: Nebraska is a pro-life state that will stand up for its most vulnerable citizens.”

On Tuesday, Nebraska joined Florida and South Dakota to become the first states to reject extreme ballot measures that have been proposed by abortion proponents since the landmark Roe v. Wade case was overturned in 2022 and decisions on abortion were returned to the states.

More than 55% of Nebraska voters opted for 434, which provides constitutional protection for babies in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and allows the Legislature to add further protections for women and children.

Opponents of the pro-abortion 439 effectively called out the measure for its vague and deceptive language, which would have allowed late-term abortions and wiped out decades of common-sense protections.

“We are grateful for the thousands of Nebraskans who worked tirelessly to ensure that their neighbors understood Initiative 439’s flaws,” said Archbishop George J. Lucas, Bishop James D. Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln and Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt of the Diocese of Grand Island. “Their dedication and hard work are reflected in this victory, and we rejoice with them.”

But more work is ahead, they said.

“As we celebrate this important victory for life and the dignity of the human person, we reaffirm our longstanding commitment to every mother, father, child, and family in our state, to work for their support, and to be, in the words of Pope Francis, ‘islands of mercy in a sea of indifference.’ We call on every Nebraskan to join us in this mission of mercy, love, and unyielding resolve.”

Archbishop Lucas also released his own statement:

“I am grateful to Nebraskans for their prayers and voting for Initiative 434 and against Initiative 439,” he said. “While 439 would have opened the way for late-pregnancy abortions, 434 keeps in place the restrictions on abortion that we have worked hard to put in place.

“We can now deepen the culture of life in Nebraska by working toward a day when any pregnant or parenting mother in need can turn to a local Catholic parish, family member, neighbor, or friend for life-affirming help.”

Archbishop George J. Lucas prays outside an abortion clinic during the Archbishop’s Vigil for Life in September. SUSAN SZALEWSKI/STAFF

The Thomas More Society – a national nonprofit law firm that champions life, family and freedom – had tried to keep 439 off the ballot, saying it violated Nebraska’s single-subject rule for ballot initiatives. Though the organization’s effort was unsuccessful, it did draw local and national press attention to the measure’s deceptive language, the Thomas More Society said in a press release on Wednesday.

“It is now clear that Nebraskans saw through the abortion industry’s smokescreen,” said Matt Heffron, senior counsel for the Thomas More Society and a member of Mary Our Queen Parish in Omaha. “When faced with a choice between a radical abortion expansion initiative and a pro-life alternative, voters in the Cornhusker State opted to choose life at the ballot box.

“The pro-abortion constitutional amendment was an outrageously deceptive scheme from the start, and Big Abortion believed it could fool Nebraskans with vague and deceptive language,” Heffron said in the press release. “They were wrong.

“I am glad that we at Thomas More Society were able to take a leading role in the fight against Initiative 439.” 

Earlier, the organization had successfully defended in court Legislative Bill 574, which was passed in 2023 and protects babies during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. That provision will now become part of the State Constitution.

Matt Heffron, center, speaks before news cameras outside the State Capitol in Lincoln. With him is Carolyn LaGreca and attorney Michael McHale. Heffron and McHale, both attorneys with the Thomas More Society, represented LaGreca in a September challenge against a pro-abortion ballot initiative. THOMAS MORE SOCIETY

Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, called the defeat of 439 and the approval of 434 “the pro-life victory we’ve been praying for.”

“It is with the utmost joy and gratitude that I get to share wonderful news with you: we did it!” Venzor said in an email to supporters on Wednesday. 

“Today, we celebrate the critical rejection of Initiative 439 and the passage of Initiative 434 — a victory that marks a monumental step forward for life and dignity in Nebraska.”

“This win is the fruit of a year-long effort filled with your prayers, countless conversations, and a tireless commitment to sharing the truth,” Venzor said. “Because of your courage, passion, and faith, Nebraska has reaffirmed its dedication to protecting both women and children, a beacon of hope in challenging times.

Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference

“Together, we have preserved 50+ years of work to protect women and babies, securing another generational victory that will echo across the nation and far into the future.

“Thank you, advocates,” he wrote, “for every prayer, conversation, email, text, and act of courage. We could not have achieved this without your relentless support, and we are humbled to celebrate this win with you.

“While we celebrate today, we also look ahead, inspired and emboldened,” Venzor said. “We still have so much important cultural work in Nebraska to ensure that every person in our state understands the beauty, dignity, and gift of human life. We envision a Nebraska where every baby in Nebraska is fully loved and every mother is completely cared for and supported.

“We look forward to walking alongside you as we work together to make Nebraska a place where every human life is celebrated, respected, and protected.”

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen also celebrated the pro-life election victory.

“I am deeply moved by the faith and conviction shown by Nebraskans in the two abortion-related ballot initiatives,” the governor said in a statement released Wednesday on election results.

Gov. Jim Pillen  OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

“Initiative 434 passed, enshrining pro-life protections in our Constitution that cannot be watered down by pro-abortion politicians. Simultaneously, Nebraskans rejected Initiative 439 and its radical creation of a fundamental right to abortion.

“It is a great day for unborn babies in Nebraska.”

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