Ever since the Roe v. Wade decision imposed legal abortion on the United States, Catholics have joined other pro-life Americans in praying, educating and advocating for life.
On Friday, June 24, after 49 years, the U.S. Supreme Court finally overturned Roe v. Wade.
Their decision in Dobbs v. Jackson does not outlaw abortion in our nation, but rather restores the freedom of individual states to pass laws that protect the unborn child. As the Supreme Court declared: “the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.”
The Catholic Church stands unambiguously for the cause of the life. As the Catechism states: “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life” (CCC 2270).
This teaching of our faith agrees with what we know from medical science: at the moment of conception a unique human individual comes into existence. Abortion is an attack on a profoundly vulnerable child who is still in his or her mother’s womb. As St. John Paul II wrote: “No one more absolutely innocent could be imagined.”
The Dobbs decision is a great step forward, but there is still much work to be done. While some states have already or will soon outlaw abortion, North Carolina continues to allow the procedure. Our pro-life work must continue in advocating for pro-life laws at the state level.
At the same time, we must recognize that many mothers feel pressured to choose abortion because of difficult social or economic circumstances. The pro-life teaching of the Church calls us to meet their needs with real help.
Bishop Peter Jugis has asked every parish in our diocese to support pregnant mothers by implementing the Walking With Moms in Need program. This initiative from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops calls on all parishes in the United States to “walk in the shoes” of pregnant and parenting mothers.
In particular, the project calls for making an inventory of local resources, discerning how we can help provide for needs that are not met, and intentionally building a parish-by-parish culture of support for mothers and families.
I hope all parishioners will embrace this call to action and get involved in this excellent program or do something else to help pregnant women, as Jesus expects of us. Detailed instructions in English and in Spanish for implementing the program can be found at www.walkingwithmoms.com.
Catholics should be grateful for the Dobbs v. Jackson decision and hopeful about the future. But our pro-life work is far from over. We must continue to advocate for pro-life laws and work to build a society that truly welcomes and supports all human life.
Father Peter Ascik is director of the Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of Family Life and pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Shelby.