‘Archbishop Lori values life, period’

Note: This is part of a package of editorial content celebrating the 10th anniversary of Archbishop William. E. Lori’s installation as archbishop of Baltimore and the 45th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Read all the stories here.

Whether visiting adults with developmental disabilities at Camp GLOW, advocating against physician-assisted suicide or supporting women in crisis pregnancies, respecting the sanctity of life has been one of Archbishop William E. Lori’s top priorities in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

It’s a focus that goes beyond the local scene, with the archbishop providing national leadership through his involvement with the Knights of Columbus and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Archbishop Lori values life, period,” said Gina Ruppert, executive director of the Center for Pregnancy Concerns in Baltimore and a parishioner of Sacred Heart in Glyndon.

The archbishop provided key funding from the Arch­diocese of Baltimore to help open Options@328, the Center for Pregnancy Concerns’ newest location right next to a Planned Parenthood facility in downtown Baltimore.

Erin Younkins, director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Institute for Evangelization, said the archbishop has been especially supportive of “Walking with Moms in Need,” a program started by the U.S. bishops that’s active in more than 45 parishes locally and many more around the country. The initiative raises awareness about already-existing ­resources available to pregnant women and their families.

The archbishop has a broad view of the pro-life movement, according to Younkins.

“He makes it clear that abortion is a paramount issue,” Younkins said. “But the way he speaks about pro-life ministry, it is with a sincere desire to make everyone know they are loved and valued members of God’s family.”

She said the archbishop sees the inherent dignity of each human being, whether an unborn child, someone with disabilities, a mom in need, trafficking victims, immigrants or people at the end of lives.

“We owe it to women facing difficult pregnancies not just to say abortion is wrong,” Archbishop Lori said, “but to say we love you, we will walk with you. We will help you. We will care for you. We will care for you while you are pregnant. We will care for you while you’re bringing your baby to term. We will care for you when you have young children and you maybe don’t have the resources that you need.”

As chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, the archbishop provides national leadership on pro-life concerns. He is often seen at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., the Maryland March for Life in Annapolis and the archdiocesan Life is Beautiful Mass. He has led eucharistic processions outside abortion clinics, blessed ultrasound machines and visted pregnancy centers.

The archbishop serves as Supreme Chaplain to the Knights of Columbus, whose ministry in pro-life advocacy is rooted in their mission.

“He’s very supportive of our councils with the Ultrasound Initiative,” said Vincent Grauso, state deputy of the Maryland State Council of the Knights of Columbus. “If there is something we need, we go to him and he definitely helps us.”

Since June 2010, the state and local councils have provided more than $1 million in funding to purchase 35 ultrasound machines throughout Maryland. The cumulative value of the donated machines is $1.5 million.

The Knights of Columbus’ national Ultrasound Initiative has acquired 1,500 ultrasound machines for pregnancy resource centers across the country, a total value of more than $72 million.

The pro-life movement is personal to the archbishop, whose older brother, Frank, was born with developmental disabilities. Frank required extra help from his parents, who went an “extra five miles” taking care of him and showing deep respect for his life and dignity, Archbishop Lori said.

The archbishop said his support for pro-life efforts also comes from his pastoral experience. He has couseled couples and young women contemplating abortion.

“And I’ve seen the anguish. You get some sense – I can’t pretend to understand – but you get a sense of that, and your heart aches and you want to help. And you recognize that the pro-life movement is not about condemning. It’s about compassion and help, and about truth-telling in the larger society and truth-­telling about the humanity of the unborn child,” he said.

Email Priscila González de Doran at pdoran@CatholicReview.org

Christopher Gunty contributed to this story.

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