Greetings, St. Tom’s,
In a historic 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision today overturning Roe vs. Wade. The Diocese of Lafayette released the following statement this afternoon:
Re: Official Statement of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana regarding the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization presents a correction for understanding the Constitutional process and the proper relation of government branches. The Dobbs decision and overturning of Roe v. Wade tells us there is no federal constitutional right to abortion on demand. The states are now left to legislate for or against procuring abortion. Some have already done so. While the Supreme Court’s decision offers an important moment for us to bolster life protections for the unborn, it does not end the public debate. We now need to turn our attention to our Indiana state legislators to urge them to enact or preserve sustainable laws to protect the rights of the unborn.
The Catholic Church in the United States has steadfastly supported the protection of human life from conception until natural death. We can be proud of our consistent teaching, but our local actions speak louder than words when we support the care provided to families, mothers, and children by various institutions and agencies. Among these are the Catholic-sponsored health systems, St. Vincent de Paul sites, and community-based outreaches such as Birthright or Women’s Care Centers.
Roe v. Wade’s effects have changed our culture and laws in more ways than we can fully comprehend. This took a long time, and now our personal attitudes and social structures will take time to adjust. People not used to voicing support for life and conversing with their state legislators should know that truth and charity go hand in hand. Our faith, patience, and steadfastness will support the Culture of Life, and we commit to doing so peacefully. Our Christian witness must be persistent and civil.
May we enter the upcoming conversations by praying to God fervently for the conversion of hearts, for prudent ways to promote human life in our laws and our personal choices, for active compassion for those who question their pregnancies, and for gratitude for the men and women whose Respect Life, activities have carried all of us across the years.
The President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Chair of the USCCB’s Committee on Prof-Life Activities also issued a statement today.
There are bound to be some turbulent times ahead in our nation. Let us pray that we may find solidarity in creating a society in which the legal protection of human life is accompanied by profound care for mothers and their children, both born and unborn.
In Christ,
Fr. Tom McDermott, OP