• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Thousands of supporters participating in the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., January 19, 2018, descend upon the United States Supreme Court. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

A compassionate ‘yes’ to life

June 22, 2022
By Archbishop William E. Lori
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Charity in Truth, Commentary, Feature, Respect Life

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

The Supreme Court will very soon render its decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson. This decision will potentially overturn Roe v. Wade, in whole or part. This means the issue of abortion will be decided, not at the federal level, but at the state level. To one degree or another, laws in some states will prohibit abortion, while other states, such as Maryland, will not only continue to provide abortions but also provide easier access to it.

Even the leaked draft of the Dobbs decision, as we know, caused protests to erupt all around the country. The Supreme Court has been picketed, as have the homes of several justices. Pro-life pregnancy centers have been vandalized. The rhetoric has been angry. We can expect more of the same as the summer unfolds.

As faithful Catholics, what should our response be at this point in history? How should we respond if indeed Roe v. Wade is overturned?

To be sure, many have prayed and worked long and hard to bring about this day. There have been countless prayer vigils, contacts with public officials, heroic efforts to communicate the pro-life message with reason and compassion. All this and more.

Whatever the ruling of the Court may be, this is not a moment for celebration, for much work remains to be done. As already noted, much of the focus will be on state laws and regulations and these will vary from state to state. In many places, including Maryland, abortion will remain the law of the land. Yet, that sad fact does not excuse inaction on our part. Even if we cannot change the law, we can continue to pray and work to open the minds and hearts in love and compassion to mothers facing difficult pregnancies as well as to their unborn children.

But how can we do this?

One practical way is an initiative known as “Walking with Moms in Need.” It is a parish-based ministry in which parishioners come to know expectant mothers in need. This means spending time with them and getting to know them. It involves listening to them and being open to their needs. Often, they don’t want to lose their children but have a hard time seeing how they can bring them into the world. When surrounded by love and compassion – as well as practical assistance – the picture often changes. And each of us can help.

Various parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore have launched or are in the process of launching Walking with Moms in Need. Add to that ongoing programs such as the Gabriel Network and Project Rachel, which provides healing and consolation for women and other family members who are suffering in the aftermath of an abortion. I think also of our valiant pro-life pregnancy centers in the Archdiocese that help expectant mothers to bring their babies to term. Ultrasound technology (often supplied by the Knights of Columbus), helps them to see the humanity of their unborn child. When they do, most elect to give birth rather than to abort.

Yet, even that is not enough. If we truly walk with a mom in need, we will provide ongoing help to her and to her child, including social services, healthcare and educational services. The Church is one of the largest sources of social services, healthcare and education. It also advocates for a wide variety of measures to help the poor and disadvantaged while seeking to build up family life. We need to support such efforts wholeheartedly. With God’s help and in a spirit of unity, we need to create a world in which no woman has to choose between her child and her future.

Let us band together in building a culture of life. And may the prayers of Mary, the Mother of our Savior, accompany us every step of the way.

Read More Respect Life

Nearly one in three conceptions in England and Wales end in abortion, government figures reveal

Planned Parenthood

Judge blocks, for now, Planned Parenthood defunding provision backed by bishops

Report: US abortions continue post-Dobbs rise in part due to telehealth

In retrial, judge acquits man charged in assault on pro-life protester

Supreme Court rules states can deny Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood

British Parliament ‘effectively decriminalizes’ abortion up to birth

Copyright © 2022 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Archbishop William E. Lori

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

The virtue of patriotism

Sculpture of St. Rita and St. Therese with a cross and holy water font at the center sits on a table

A Gift and a Connection to the Past

Expert discusses serious harms of smartphones for children and how to limit their use

Cupcakes with 2025 graduation toothpicks in them and a bowl of cookies

Our 31-hour Road Trip

St. Paul and discovering that sin is ‘missing the mark’

| Recent Local News |

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

Radio Interview: The music and ministry of Seph Schlueter

Hunt Valley parishioner recalls her former student – a future pope

Father Herman Benedict Czaster, former Curley teacher, dies at 86

Loyola University Maryland graduate ordained Jesuit priest

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • 80 years after ‘Trinity,’ Catholic-hosted gathering calls to abolish nuclear weapons
  • Gaza’s Christian community persevering amid hardship and hope
  • Nearly one in three conceptions in England and Wales end in abortion, government figures reveal
  • The virtue of patriotism
  • Caring for others, serving life is the ‘supreme law,’ pope says
  • Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies
  • Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors’ new president ‘pioneer in his field,’ French lawyer says
  • Radio Interview: The music and ministry of Seph Schlueter
  • Jesus did not ignore those in need, and neither should Christians, pope says

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en