October 18, 2026

Petition drive effort to stop abortion expansion law heads into final stretch

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

Father Daniel Pacholec, poses for a picture with Christen Maglio, center, the regional director for Repeal188, and Mary Federici, the pastoral minister at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish.

WESTFIELD – The signature petition drive to pause  and repeal the recently passed abortion expansion law is in its final stretch, with petitions due at city clerks’ offices by Oct. 23.

Massachusetts Family Action, Massachusetts Family Institute, and Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) have come together forming Repeal 188, 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.

Bishop William D. Byrne, along with the other bishops of Massachusetts, are supporting the effort to repeal the new law signed by Governor Maura Healy which removes all restrictions on abortion past 24-weeks under Chapter 188.

According to Repeal 188, 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.

Signatures are currently being collected, with parishes across the Diocese of Springfield holding petition drives after Mass.

A swap was held at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield, Wednesday, Oct. 14 where volunteers sorted petitions by town. Father Daniel Pacholec, the director of the Respect Life Office, is the pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. The church has become a central location in western Massachusetts for parishes to pick up and drop off petitions.

Christen Maglio is the regional director for Repeal 188. She is also a member of the Community Church of Westfield. Maglio, 27 weeks pregnant with twin boys, said this new law horrifies her.

“Throughout the scriptures it talks about life beginning at conception in the womb. I want to do everything I can to fight this barbaric bill,” Maglio said.

Mary Federici, the pastoral minister at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, said it hasn’t been hard to find volunteers.

“I think this (effort) appeals to so many people because it is horrible to picture, to envision what could happen up to birth,” said Federici, a mother and grandmother.

Another swap event will be held at OLBS Monday, Oct. 19, from 5-6:30 p.m. The petitions coming in have to be certified in each town. Then they will be brought to St. Mary Parish in Dedham. From there volunteers will deliver them to the Secretary of State’s Office Nov. 6

To learn more, go to repeal188.com