The way forward
July 3, 2024 at 2:19 p.m.
It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe vs. Wade, bringing about a wide range of developments, some expected, some confounding and all consequential.
Some states have passed stricter abortion laws and other states have pushed back at the ballot box and in state legislative bodies to enshrine or even strengthen abortion access. Contradictory statistical shifts have been reported, citing an increase in the number of abortions performed in the last two years ... a deepening of the nation’s support for access to legal abortion ... and an growing demand for the services and support of pregnancy aid centers.
Through it all, the Church remains steadfast in its mission to stand with both the expectant mother and her child in the womb. Our leaders recognize the need to advocate for laws that respect all human life, while working to transform hearts. Most importantly the Church wants every pregnant woman who is vulnerable to abortion know that she is not alone.
Progress is slow but moving. While some Catholic-based efforts have been in place for decades, others are newly-established responses to the growing need in the wake of the Dobbs decision and the overall pro-life mission of the Church. Many of these are directed to the operation or support of homes for pregnant women in need. These programs are changing lives and helping women to choose the lives of their unborn babies.
We are fortunate enough in the Diocese of Trenton to have Good Counsel Homes, which is grateful to receive the support of many parish and school groups. But there are simply not enough of these programs. Across the nation, pregnancy centers that provide homes and other essential resources often run at capacity. And parish programs that complement these services face real challenges in having enough help and funding.
A bright light in this effort is the Vatican’s recent approval of a lay association of the faithful which will serve as an apostolate to pregnant women. Originating in Mexico and spreading to several U.S. cities, the agency called Mater Filius (Latin for mother and child) embodies the mission of the Church in the work to end abortion, which they describe as “Defending Life with Love.”
This growth offers a hopeful way forward on this journey to save babies at risk of abortion. May God bless Mater Filius, Good Counsel Homes and all agencies like them as they work to defend life with love.
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Events
It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe vs. Wade, bringing about a wide range of developments, some expected, some confounding and all consequential.
Some states have passed stricter abortion laws and other states have pushed back at the ballot box and in state legislative bodies to enshrine or even strengthen abortion access. Contradictory statistical shifts have been reported, citing an increase in the number of abortions performed in the last two years ... a deepening of the nation’s support for access to legal abortion ... and an growing demand for the services and support of pregnancy aid centers.
Through it all, the Church remains steadfast in its mission to stand with both the expectant mother and her child in the womb. Our leaders recognize the need to advocate for laws that respect all human life, while working to transform hearts. Most importantly the Church wants every pregnant woman who is vulnerable to abortion know that she is not alone.
Progress is slow but moving. While some Catholic-based efforts have been in place for decades, others are newly-established responses to the growing need in the wake of the Dobbs decision and the overall pro-life mission of the Church. Many of these are directed to the operation or support of homes for pregnant women in need. These programs are changing lives and helping women to choose the lives of their unborn babies.We are fortunate enough in the Diocese of Trenton to have Good Counsel Homes, which is grateful to receive the support of many parish and school groups. But there are simply not enough of these programs. Across the nation, pregnancy centers that provide homes and other essential resources often run at capacity. And parish programs that complement these services face real challenges in having enough help and funding.
A bright light in this effort is the Vatican’s recent approval of a lay association of the faithful which will serve as an apostolate to pregnant women. Originating in Mexico and spreading to several U.S. cities, the agency called Mater Filius (Latin for mother and child) embodies the mission of the Church in the work to end abortion, which they describe as “Defending Life with Love.”
This growth offers a hopeful way forward on this journey to save babies at risk of abortion. May God bless Mater Filius, Good Counsel Homes and all agencies like them as they work to defend life with love.