MIAMI — Catholic churches and other religious institutions in Florida are pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into the campaign to defeat an amendment intended to overturn the state’s controversial restrictions on abortion access.

Defeating the Amendment 4 proposal has become a major goal for the state’s Republican leadership, with Gov. Ron DeSantis throwing considerable political weight behind the effort. And faith-based groups rank among the most vocal and generous partners in the battle — creating websites, mounting social media campaigns and pushing congregations to join the fight.

Money may be the most telling measure of their influence.

Religious institutions accounted for more than a third of the total contributions — almost $850,000 including check and in-kind donations according to calculations by the Miami Herald — to the Florida Voters Against Extremism PAC, the political committee behind the “Vote No on 4” campaign. Catholic organizations and churches accounted for almost $834,000 alone, while Florida Baptist organizations contributed around $10,500.

The Amendment 4 issue is a key one for both parties — with Republicans hoping to defend a severe restriction that bans most abortions after six weeks and Democrats hoping to restore and even broaden access, making abortion legal until ”viability,” which most medical experts agree is around 22 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. It’s an issue that could also bring more voters to the polls in what is shaping up as a potentially close presidential race.

Under tax laws, nonprofits such as churches and charities can’t make donations to partisan candidate races like congressional seats but they are legally allowed to donate to campaigns on certain issues or ballot questions that align with their mission. Amendment 4, legal experts say, fits that definition.

“There is basically a lot of discretion that .... nonprofits have in terms of their spending on issues,” said Daniel Smith, a professor of political science at the University of Florida. “Issues, the Supreme Court long ago ruled, are very different than candidate races. They are not partisan technically, although there’s a lot of evidence that suggests they have become politicized in that partisan way.”

In a statement to the Miami Herald the Archdiocese of Miami said the Catholic Church “does engage in political issues; however, it does not endorse any political candidates.”

“Amendment 4 does generate special engagement on our part,” the statement said. “No one is surprised that abortion has long been recognized as a preeminent concern because it is a direct attack on human life.”

Organizations such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, according to the Archdiocese, often advise the government on matters of concern to the Catholic Church.

In a column in the Florida Catholic earlier this year, Archbishop Thomas Wenski argued that Catholics have an obligation to make their opinions heard to the public. The church has long been a vocal pro-life force.

“To bear witness is our duty as faithful Catholics − and it is our right as faith filled citizens. Vote “no” on Amendment 4!” Wenski wrote. “This is not to ‘impose our views’ but to ‘make our proposal’ about what is necessary for human flourishing in society.”

Aside from financial donations, the Catholic Church has been urging Floridians to vote no on Amendment 4 for months, touting a campaign — which uses videos, social media posts, fact sheets, prayer events and voter workshops — to help spread the message.

“The Archdiocese of Miami, together with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, is working hard to oppose this dangerous and deceptive amendment and urges all Floridians to vote “NO” on Amendment 4,” the Archdiocese wrote on its website. “This matter concerning the respect for human dignity and the fundamental value of human life is of grave importance to both our Church and our state.”

The “Vote No on 4” campaign echoes talking points repeated by DeSantis and other conservatives. It argues that the amendment is too “extreme” and that the vague language could allow for late-term abortions. It also points out that key terms of the amendment, such as “viability” and “health care provider” are not defined, which would allow for broader interpretations of the measure.

In the past few weeks, the DeSantis administration has used its political power and resources to wage a war against the abortion measure. The administration launched a state-sponsored website in opposition to Amendment 4, claiming that the measure “threatens women’s safety.” DeSantis has also been investigating verified Amendment 4 petitions that has led to tens of thousands of signatures being pulled for review and has called out Republicans who have not yet donated to help defeat the amendment.

The Florida Baptist Convention, which represents thousands of churches across the state, also put out a public statement in opposition of Amendment 4, and has partnered with a pro-life advocacy organization, One More Child, to help spread the message.

“We encourage you to rise for life—tell your church and communities how Amendment 4 will endanger precious lives, share with them the enclosed informational flyer, and most of all, VOTE “NO” on Amendment 4,” the Florida Baptist Convention wrote in a letter directed to pastors.

Supporters of the opposing campaign, “Vote Yes on 4,” argue that the governor and conservative lawmakers have rolled back decades-old law in Florida, imposing restrictions that polls show are opposed by most residents. The pro-choice campaign, backed by a group called Floridians Protecting Freedom, has focused on the impacts of the current abortion ban in Florida and features testimonies from women who were unable to terminate their pregnancy after serious complications, resulting in dangerous health risks for the mothers.

Grassroots advocacy for Amendment 4

So far, the financial support from religious groups has been decidedly one-sided. There doesn’t appear to be any substantial donations from faith-based groups to the political committee supporting the “Vote Yes on 4” campaign, Floridians Protecting Freedom, according to the state’s campaign finance database.

The top donors for the PAC supporting of the amendment, which raised over $48.5 million, are philanthropic organizations such as the Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, individual activists, Marsha Zlatin Laufer, and nonprofit advocacy groups like American Civil Liberties Union Of Florida and Planned Parenthood.

But, some faith-based groups, including the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, among others, have advocated in support of Amendment 4 in other ways.

“We’ve been involved with Amendment 4 since the very beginning,” said Rabbi Jessica Jacobs of Temple Beth Sholom, a Reform Jewish synagogue in Miami Beach that’s a part of RAC Florida.

Through a grassroots campaign including writing postcards, phone banking and door knocking, RAC Florida has been a powerful advocate of Amendment 4, receiving over 17,000 signed petitions from Florida voters. Jacobs said petitioning and getting congregants to register to vote was a priority at the synagogue during holidays, Shabbat dinners and different community events.

“When people think about religious groups being conservative on abortion, or believing that abortion is murder, that is not consistent with our religious ideology,” Jacobs said. “And so it’s really important for us to, among other reasons, engage in the campaign.”

Though fundraising isn’t RAC Florida’s largest endeavor, Jacobs said they do ask people to contribute to RAC Florida or to the “Vote Yes on 4” campaign directly. Jacobs said abortion is one of the least divisive issues for Jews, who believe that life begins at birth, not at conception.

“For us, it says in the Talmud and in our Rabbinic tradition that the life of the mother is always paramount to the life of the unborn ... literally, even until the moment of birth,” Jacobs said.

RAC Florida is also advocating for Amendment 4 on the grounds of religious freedom.

“Judaism also believes in the dignity of all people, and that for us, we interpret dignity to mean access to healthcare, access to housing, access to safety, access to autonomy, and so this feels very clearly in line with what it means to give people a sense of dignity,” Jacobs said.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, a progressive church in South Miami, is hosting a photo exhibition next week, showcasing stories of people who have had personal experiences with abortion. The UU Miami Church was a strong advocate last year in petitioning to get the abortion amendment to be on the November ballot.

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