September 18, 2026

New effort underway to repeal abortion expansion law

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

(IObserve file photo)

SPRINGFIELD – Bishop William D. Byrne is supporting a new effort which seeks to suspend and ultimately repeal the abortion expansion law passed in the final hours of the legislative session and signed by Governor Maura Healey in early August. The law under Chapter 188 removes all restrictions on late term abortions past 24 weeks. Massachusetts Family Action, Massachusetts Family Institute, and Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) have come together forming Repeal188, pursuing a referendum petition requesting the suspension of Chapter 188 and a statewide vote on the issue in a ballot question in November of 2028.

According to Repeal188, 37,289 certified signatures are required for the referendum to qualify for the ballot in 2028. But if 49,716 certified signatures are collected, the law would be suspended until Nov. 2028 when it would be put on the ballot for voters to decide.

Bishop Byrne wrote an Op-Ed in the Republican expressing his grave disappointment and disgust over the passing of the law.

“The legalization of a late term abortion where you can have a baby that could survive outside the womb, killed even outside of a hospital setting, is a horrible undertaking in our state. So there is a petition that is being circulated to repeal this. It’s a long shot, but God likes long shots. We have to get behind it so we can do everything possible, but we also have to walk with moms in crisis,” said Bishop Byrne.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) is helping in the signature collection.

“What this committee’s job is, is to collect enough signatures from registered voters across the state to suspend and ultimately repeal the law Gov. Healey signed into law Aug. 10,” said Myrna Maloney Flynn.

“That is a law that allows abortion for any reason up to the moment of birth, even on healthy moms and healthy, viable, pain-capable children. It also allows this to be done outside of a hospital setting, so this is an issue about the safety of women,” she said.

Maloney Flynn said the goal is to collect 100,000 signatures because petition sheets turned in with marks or stains are often rejected by the Secretary of State’s Office. Signatures must be collected by the end of October.

“Every person’s signature makes a difference. We sometimes feel overwhelmed in Massachusetts but we can certainly affect this particular law which would be tremendous for saving the lives of many, many babies,” said Father Daniel Pacholec, the director of the Respect Life Office for the Diocese of Springfield.

Volunteers are needed to help collect signatures and parishes are encouraged to participate with drives.

You can find out more by going on to the website: Repeal188.com 

This story will be featured on Sunday’s edition of “Real to Reel,” which temporarily at 6:30 a.m.  on WWLP-22NEWS.