June 24, 2022
Dear Friends in Christ,
Today is a monumental day as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and in so doing affirmed that the constitution does not confer a right to abortion. As Catholics, believers, and people of goodwill, today’s news is also a call for us to redouble our efforts to create opportunities that provide women with alternative choices to abortion. It is important that we surround women in difficult pregnancies with love and compassion as well as the services they need as mothers.
So many people have worked and prayed for years that this day would come. We give thanks that those prayers have been answered and that work has borne fruit. At the same time, we must prayerfully consider the challenge with which we presented. The Court’s decision brings this issue back to the states, and in Maryland abortion, sadly, remains the law of the land. As Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, we must now work even harder to win over hearts and minds as we meet the needs that arise for mothers who are tempted to see abortion as their only option. It is our job to convince each person of the sanctity of every life and work to ensure they can see Christ’s light and love at work in us.
The Archdiocese’s Office of Life, Justice and Peace developed a comprehensive resource for our post-Roe v. Wade landscape. Please feel free to share it with your communities and refer back to it often. Post-Roe v. Wade Resources – Archdiocese of Baltimore (archbalt.org). I have also joined Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on a message concerning this decision. When you have a moment, please read USCCB on US Supreme Court Decision.
Dear Friends in Christ,
Today is a monumental day as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and in so doing affirmed that the constitution does not confer a right to abortion. As Catholics, believers, and people of goodwill, today’s news is also a call for us to redouble our efforts to create opportunities that provide women with alternative choices to abortion. It is important that we surround women in difficult pregnancies with love and compassion as well as the services they need as mothers.
So many people have worked and prayed for years that this day would come. We give thanks that those prayers have been answered and that work has borne fruit. At the same time, we must prayerfully consider the challenge with which we presented. The Court’s decision brings this issue back to the states, and in Maryland abortion, sadly, remains the law of the land. As Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, we must now work even harder to win over hearts and minds as we meet the needs that arise for mothers who are tempted to see abortion as their only option. It is our job to convince each person of the sanctity of every life and work to ensure they can see Christ’s light and love at work in us.
The Archdiocese’s Office of Life, Justice and Peace developed a comprehensive resource for our post-Roe v. Wade landscape. Please feel free to share it with your communities and refer back to it often. Post-Roe v. Wade Resources – Archdiocese of Baltimore (archbalt.org). I have also joined Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on a message concerning this decision. When you have a moment, please read USCCB on US Supreme Court Decision.
We also recognize that this is will be a turbulent time in our nation. As such, we must continue to pray for peace and civility throughout our country. Working together with all people of goodwill let us see in this moment a turning point in our work of building a culture of life and a civilization of love.
With kindest personal regards, I remain,
Faithfully in Christ,
Most Reverend William E. Lori
Archbishop of Baltimore
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