• 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
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • 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
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Archbishop William E. Lori shares a light moment with Julie Tennant during the Jan. 19, 2020, “Life is Beautiful” Mass at St. Joseph Church in Fullerton. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

‘Archbishop Lori values life, period’

May 1, 2022
By Priscila González de Doran
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Archbishop Lori Milestones, Feature, Local News, News, Respect Life

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.

Archbishop William E. Lori welcomes pro-lifers to the 2019 Maryland March for Life in Annapolis. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

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.

Read More Archbishop Lori Milestones

RADIO INTERVIEW: Archbishop Lori Milestones

Archbishop Lori says it’s been ten quick years

Archbishop Lori helps move Catholic education forward

Priests say Archbishop Lori is their friend and ally

Archbishop Lori makes fight against racism a priority

Governor, mayor see Archbishop Lori as ‘trusted partner’

Copyright © 2022 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Priscila González de Doran

A native of Mexico, Priscila González de Doran joined Catholic Review Media as a staff writer in 2021. She serves the Catholic community writing about local events, Hispanic ministry, and translating articles from English to Spanish.

She earned associate degrees in business administration and information systems, and social and behavioral studies, from Riverside City College in California. She has a certificate in campus ministry from the Dominican Institute in Oakland.

She is a parishioner of Our Lady of the Fields in Millersville, where she volunteers as a youth minister.

Priscila has collaborated with El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización, Periódico de la Red, Pascua Juvenil and Newman Centers.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Baltimore native to be ordained Jesuit priest

Sulpicians elect Father Daniel Moore as provincial superior

Former St. Rita School teacher dies

Archdiocese of Baltimore ordains 9 transitional deacons

RADIO INTERVIEW: Witnesses for Life: A conversation with Monsignor James Farmer

Latest World News

Church presence in Uvalde, Texas, gives strength, love, archbishop says

Mary, Star of the Sea, protects mariners and is guide for all, bishop says

Bishops push gun control; some call mass shootings ‘pressing life issue’

Remembering Buffalo shooting victims, Catholics pray for end to racism

Pope prays for Texas shooting victims, calls for stricter gun laws

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

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
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Church presence in Uvalde, Texas, gives strength, love, archbishop says
  • Mary, Star of the Sea, protects mariners and is guide for all, bishop says
  • Bishops push gun control; some call mass shootings ‘pressing life issue’
  • Baltimore native to be ordained Jesuit priest
  • Sulpicians elect Father Daniel Moore as provincial superior
  • Finding solace in faith after shootings provide another reminder of horrific day
  • Remembering Buffalo shooting victims, Catholics pray for end to racism
  • Pope prays for Texas shooting victims, calls for stricter gun laws
  • Judge blocks Catholic University of America’s sale of Dorothy dress

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2022 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED