Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, and Bishop Daniel E. Flores, representing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, released a joint statement on Wednesday strongly criticizing more than 30 Catholic members of Congress who affirmed their support for abortion based on their faith.

“Members of Congress who recently invoked teachings of the Catholic faith itself as justifying abortion or supporting a supposed right to abortion grievously distort the faith,” the statement read. “It is wrong and incoherent to claim that the taking of innocent human life at its most vulnerable stage can ever be consistent with the values of supporting the dignity and wellbeing of those in need.”

The Catholic members of Congress released the statement on the one-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"As Catholics, we believe all individuals are free to make their own personal decisions about their bodies, families, and futures," read the lawmakers' statement, according to a press release. "The role of informed conscience is at the very core of our faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church plainly states that ‘A human being must always obey the certain judgment of his [or her] conscience. If he [or she] were deliberately to act against it, he [or she] would condemn himself [or herself].’ We regard conscience as both a sacred gift and a responsibility: we are called to follow our conscience."

Archbishop Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bishop Burbidge of Arlington is the chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop Flores of Brownsville is the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Doctrine. Earlier this month, Burbidge released a statement in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, which overturned Roe v. Wade, according to the USCCB.

“Conscience rightly enjoys a special regard both in Church teaching and in the public sphere," reads the joint statement to Congress from the U.S. Bishops. "And policymakers should support the freedom of Catholics and of others to serve the common good in accord with their beliefs in a wide range of areas – from services and assistance to recently arrived migrants, to offering health care and social services. Nevertheless, conscience is not a license to commit evil and take innocent lives. Conscience cannot and does not justify the act or support of abortion."

According to the press release, the congressional statement asserted that most Catholics support abortion, citing statistics such as "68 percent supporting the legal protections for abortion access enshrined in Roe" and "63 percent believing abortion should be legal in all or most cases." However, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) statement strongly refutes these claims.