After the U.S. Senate failed May 11 to advance a “radical” abortion bill, the chairmen of two U.S. bishops’ committees urged Congress “to stop pushing abortion as the solution to needs of women and young girls” and “embrace” public policy initiatives that protect “both mother and child.”
Respect Life
Declining birthrates impoverish future, pope says
The steady decline of birthrates across Europe and the West are signs of a new form of poverty that deprives humanity of a future, Pope Francis said.
Officials condemn violence, threats after high court leak on abortion case
Biden administration officials issued a statement against violence May 9 following protests outside the homes of two Supreme Court justices in the Washington area as well as a spate of vandalism and disruptions targeting locales of groups that oppose abortion. Some of them include Catholic churches.
Archbishop Lori calls for prayer in response to leaked Supreme Court opinion
The leak related to the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization reminds us of the urgent need for prayer and action at this pivotal moment in our country.
Outside the Supreme Court, Catholics join diverse chorus on abortion
Crowds arrived in Washington shortly after the online news site Politico published a report late May 2 from a leaked draft opinion signaling that the majority of Supreme Court justices seem set to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 legal decision that legalized abortion in the country.
Leaked draft of Supreme Court opinion indicates overturn of Roe decision
The Supreme Court appears set to overturn its Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion for nearly 50 years, according to a leaked initial draft of a court opinion obtained by Politico and published online the evening of May 2.
‘Archbishop Lori values life, period’
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 Lori’s top priorities in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Maryland advocate Deirdre McQuade, 53, helped communicate bishops’ pro-life message
Longtime pro-life advocate Deirdre McQuade, who for more than a decade shared perspectives of U.S. bishops’ and the Catholic Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life, died April 21 after a bout with metastatic breast cancer. She was 53.
Honor, protect dignity of elderly, pope says at audience
The fourth commandment does not only imply honoring one’s father and mother, but also the respect and care for the dignity of older generations, Pope Francis said.
Inmate chooses death by firing squad, calls choices unconstitutional
Richard Moore, a South Carolina death-row inmate, chose death by firing squad over electrocution but described both methods as unconstitutional.
Cardinal Gregory urges reflection on ‘weighty moral question’ of capital punishment
Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington venerated the cross of Jesus and urged the faithful to “consider carefully the impact that capital punishment has on us as a society.”
Maryland Catholic Conference says ‘phenomenal’ advocacy made difference in legislative session
The Maryland Catholic Conference, Annapolis-based public-policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, worked diligently throughout Maryland’s recently completed 444th legislative session to push its support for a variety of bills and also try to help defeat a bill that will expand abortion in the state.