Post Roe, Fighting for the Unborn is More Important than Ever
This Wednesday January 22nd, the Bishops of the United States have dedicated as a special day to the protection of unborn children. January 22nd marks the day of the Roe. vs. Wade decision, which was thankfully finally overturned, and the bishops have now continued now post Roe to bring attention to the importance of fighting for life. As we all know, the killing of the unborn is still widespread, in particular in our own state where radical pro-abortion legislation has become the law, permitted up until birth.
The Dobbs decision was a welcome thing we have prayed for years about. But in the nearly three years since that, it seems the pro-abortion groups have dominated much of the conversation; we’ve seen this in ad after ad during election season last year. So now that the issue has returned to states, and voters have more power than ever on this issue, how can we as Catholics work to develop a pro-life mentality and change hearts and minds?
It is so important for us as Catholics to speak up and get involved.
One is by educating ourselves. Someone told me if you ask any parent who sees an ultrasound of their unborn child, its hard to conceive how someone could then go on to not have the child. While many in the world would call an unborn child not life but potential life, consider how much development occurs in just the initial weeks and months: blood flow by the fourth to fifth week; heart development between 18 and 25 days, and fingers and toes by the sixth week. Its understandable in that during the initial weeks when one can’t see someone as being pregnant one might think that there is no life present – but indeed, we have a human being, and so many just aren’t aware of all that happens in the first moments of life. On top of this, we should educate ourselves on the laws and just how many radical abortion laws have been passed in our own state over the last year, and also educate ourselves on where candidates stand on the issue as we are voting. The more we know, the more we can use that knowledge to change minds and hearts.
Secondly, forgiveness and compassion. Its what we preach as a Church, and its what we must live out. The Church is there to help women and those affected by abortion offering not just forgiveness through the sacraments, but also to help people find the resources they need to heal. The sad thing is so many woman feel the guilt set in. Some have felt pressured to have an abortion because of the attitude of family. Many other women simply have the abortion while other friends and family members never speak up or reach out to help, or let the time pass without reaching out to ease the woman’s pain, but simply let the wounds grow with silence or, even worse, use it to harm the person. Or some even wish evil upon abortionists or those who work at an abortion clinic. We have to strive to reach out to help those who were hurt by abortion, by taking the time to talk with them when they seek our help. We should also pray both for the victims of abortion, but also for those involved in the killing of unborn children.
Third, we need to get involved. We have an amazing Pro Life group here at Saint Joe’s, consider joining them. Twice a year we have the “40 hours for Life” event where people from different parishes each take time to pray peacefully in front of the Planned Parenthood in Saint Paul. We should also consider life issues when we go to a caucus or vote for someone, and while the Church doesn’t endorse candidates, the bishops of the United States have given us a great document entitled “Faithful Citizenship” that gives us an idea of what issues should be looked at, and speaks on abortion. Our legislators greatly effect abortion, and the last session unfortunately had much pro-abortion legislation; this session’s bills haven’t all come out yet but pay attention to what is introduced on life issues and let your elected officials know how you feel. We can also get involved by helping support Pro-Life centers that offer free ultrasounds to women, and with groups who help support mothers in need with baby formula, clothing and resources to help them choose life.
Fourth, don’t be afraid to argue. Arguing is not shouting louder than the other person or making attacks on social media, it means engaging people. Many people take the mentality that this is a “private” issue or something they might not do, but wouldn’t want to tell others how to act. We need though to change this mindset. People will sometimes get very emotional or angry on the topic; I remember a couple of years ago on Easter, a person who was not a parishioner was “parish shopping” and they were upset that I brought up the Dobbs decision in my Easter homily. (I devoted all of 10 to 20 seconds on it, using it as an example of how the Christian needs to act and proclaim their faith, and in my response to the person who wrote in, told them the stance against abortion is a dogma of our faith, and we have a very active pro-life group, and that it was one of several examples I used. I never heard back from them. I have absolutely no regrets about talking about it as homilies are meant to get folks to think and to sometimes challenge a person). After we’ve equipped ourselves with the knowledge on the topic, from all that happens with respect to development of the unborn child, and also of how the abortion industry operates in victimizing both the mother and unborn child, we can engage in deeper conversations with people. These might entail pushback, and anger, but they might get people to think and eventually change hearts and minds – but only if we are not afraid.
Fifth, we need to strive to create a culture of life. Maybe we know someone who has an unplanned pregnancy, or is worried about how to pay for their child. We need to respond with love towards them, giving them support, helping them find the resources to choose life, and to affirm their role as a parent and to help them on their journey.
Finally, we have to be vigilant and be on guard to avoid apathy. Many think nothing ever changes; but things do change when we vote, are politically active, engage others on an important topic, and never give up. It is a fact Dobbs has saved thousands of lives. So many of us never thought we’d see the overturning of Roe, but here we are. The work though continues.
As Christians, may we never give up the fight for life, and be vigilant in seeing abortion laws and the attitudes of some in society not as something that will never change, or seeing those who are in favor of abortion as the enemy, but rather through prayer, action, compassion and dialogue remember we have so much power to save lives and change hearts.
Have a blessed week! ~Fr. Paul
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January 2025