According to reputable sources today there are more abortions now than before Roe v. Wade, at least 1.1 million every year. Many assumed since the Dobbs decision abortion would drop, instead the opposite has happened.
Sadly, more than 60% of those deaths are caused by abortion drugs sent through the mail with little to no medical oversite. That's more deaths annually than fentanyl, cocaine and heroin combined. Our home, which should be the sanctuary for the caring and protection of children, is now with the easy availability of abortion pills, is the major center for abortion. The words of dear St. Mother Teresa that she spoke many years ago are sadly very true today, "Abortion is the greatest destroyer of peace in the world". She knew that abortion was the greatest evil of the day.
The U.S. Bishops teach that among the many important life issues, abortion is the preeminent one of our day for several reasons. Abortion is a direct and intentional destruction of human life in its most fundamental condition and is the basis of all other human rights. The Bishops sadly recognize that the number of human lives lost in abortion, more than 1 million each year, is catastrophic. Bishop James Conley who celebrated the vigil mass for the National Day of Prayer and before the great March for Life in the Basilica of the National Shrine, reminded us that "Pre-Born are considered the most vulnerable and voiceless members of society, unable to speak and defend themselves. And is an attack on the family itself, which is meant to be a sanctuary of life."
In view of the ever-increasing abortions in our society, we Bishops along with our Priests and Pro-Life leaders need to take more prayerful, spiritual and pastoral action to confront this ever-increasing number of the destruction of these precious unborn, children of God. We need to remind ourselves of the words of two of our recent Popes, that abortion is murder. We need to continue to pray and work to change hearts as the measure of society is how we treat the weakest members. Only God can change hearts. No matter what happens politically, we as Catholics must always be there to loving serve women and welcome them with their new life. One way the Church does this is through the program Walking With Moms in need where Catholic Parishes are stepping up services, support and accompaniment to vulnerable pregnant and parenting mothers. And the Church does not abandon those who chose abortion. We want to serve their spiritual and emotional needs so that they can find mercy, freedom and healing in Christ. Project Rachel Ministry offers confidential, compassionate and support for both women and men in abortion. We need many more Pro-Life masses, and continue prayer in front of Planned Parenthood and other facilities which promote and sponsor abortion.
According to Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser "Our movement is strong. There is a flourishing of new, courageous and convincing voices at all levels: our churches, local communities, digital influencers, strong advocates in state and federal government - and all this is very good. But there is still a reality that we must acknowledge. The other side is never going to give up. As long as they have a grip on institutions, on power, on funds, on political officials, much of the media, we must--and our pro-life elected officials must--keep working and fighting and speaking. Never be silent." To stop the ever-increasing number of precious little children of God destroyed in abortion, I encourage all Pro-Life leaders with our Bishops to work with our law makers to promote and put into practice the Life at Conception Act. This Act will strike a death blow to the bloody business of abortion.
The Life at Conception Act would ensure that every person would be granted the God-given right to life they deserve from the moment of conception. This Act recognizing the scientific fact that since human life begins at the moment of conception; it would extend the 14th Amendment protection to pre-born children at all stages of life; provide stiff penalties to those abortionist who violate the law; and save every year hundreds of thousands of preborn babies, our precious unborn little sisters and brothers. I strongly and urgently encourage all Pro-Lifer to sign the Life at Conception Act petitions, urging Congressional Leaders, our politicians, to promote and vote for the Life at Conception Act.
NELLIE GRAY, FOUNDER OF THE MARCH FOR LIFE, IS A DYNAMIC MODEL OF LEADERSHIP AND WISE GUIDE FOR US TODAY AND HOW WE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THIS CRITICAL LIFE ISSUE OF PROTECTING THE PRECIOUS UNBORN, AND CARING AND HELPING THEIR MOTHERS. Dear Nellie was a woman of prayer and deep faith, was guided by the Holy Spirit, and with the cooperation of a few Knights of Columbus and Pro-Life friends, began the famous March for Life in 1974, which she organized and was chosen by her friends to lead this March, which is now the largest in the world, until her death in 2012. This national March for Life draws hundreds of thousands to Washington each year. This Pro-Life stalwart is founder of the largest and longest running Pro-Life demonstration in the world. Nellie Gray started the annual March for Life parade to protest the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion nationwide.
When she died, I learned that Nellie was born in Big Spring, Texas, which is part of the Diocese of San Angelo, where I served as Bishop for some 28 years. And I learned from the records that Nellie was baptized in Staton, Texas, which was a mission of the Parish in Big Spring and by a member of my Community of Oblates of Mary Immaculate. I have a copy of her baptismal record. Nellie served in WWII as a Corporal in the Women's Army Corps. Following this service she served in the State Department. Early in her Catholic life, Nellie was not fully involved in the Church, but she met a dedicated Priest who encouraged her to use her baptismal gifts by being fully involved in the Church. And she gave her life to express her love and concern for the precious unborn by dedicating her life to the March for Life. She became a very active member of St. Mary, Mother of God Parish in Washington. The lasting, loving mark she has left in this world can be seen in the generations of lives saved as a result of her dedicated and constant service on behalf of the unborn. She had a strong, loving heart that valued all people - born and unborn. Fearlessly working to create a picture worth a thousands words, she strongly encouraged thousands of peaceful Americans to call on their courts and their legislators to defend human life and God's law. Nellie was horrified at the large number of unborn babies that were killed. She referred to abortion as genocide. She stated that these innocent ones were being murdered and that these babies have the same rights to life that you and I have. A colleague of hers said she saw in Nellie a woman of great integrity, who was determined to do something to end abortion. She said Nellie had a very strong faith and her Pro-Life views were very strong.
As we reflect on the prayerful and holy life of Nellie and her total commitment to save the precious unborn through her some 40 years of compassionate and dedicated years to the March of Life to show respect and honor for the precious unborn, I believe as I am presently doing, that we need to reach out to our Catholic Leaders, especially in Washington, to have Nellie proclaimed Blessed and one day God willing, a Saint for our beautiful Catholic Church. I strongly encourage all Pro-Lifers, especially those who knew Nellie and cooperated with her, to support this effort for her Cause. The March for Life is Nellie Gray's main legacy. Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who was a close friend of Nellie, and served with her to lead many Marches for Life as a Priest, Bishop and Cardinal, has called her the Joan of Arc of the Gospel of Life.