The Church – Must Double Our Efforts
As I sat down to write this article this morning, the news arrived that the Supreme Court had ruled 6-3 in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which in effect overturns the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in 1973. The Dobbs decision will effectively throw the responsibility back to the states in order to regulate abortion access. Some states, like Wisconsin, still have laws in place outlawing abortion. The 1849 Wisconsin law allows one exception: when the mother’s life is at stake. Presumably, those laws will be in force as soon as possible following the Supreme Court decision.
As you read here a few weeks ago, I think that the Church and all those who respect life must double our efforts to support pregnant women and families with newborn children. Indeed, we need to do everything we can in order to support life in real and useful ways, and not just seek laws that abolish the taking of life. Of course, this country and others have many laws which allow the taking of the life in “self-defense,” “standing your ground,” “justified killing” of people resisting arrest, killing in military action in wars both declared and undeclared, and capital punishment through the death penalty, etc.
The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay (GB Dioc) staffs an Office for Pro-life called “Disciples For Life.” On their website you will find information and links to many other helpful resources, including a program named “Walking with Moms.” This program is one of the ways we can become more involved in helping pregnant women and families. This program is a collaboration of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the GB Dioc. You can find descriptions of programs and find useful information and web links to important life-promoting organizations.
One of those local life-promoting organizations in Green Bay is the AA Alexandrina Pregnancy Resource Center, 1600 Shawano Ave, Suite #106, 920-435-4191. There are six more pregnancy resource centers in the 16 counties of the Diocese of Green Bay. Additionally, the St. Gianna Molla Clinic in Green Bay, and the Vida Medical Center in Appleton, are two faith-centered medical clinics in the Diocese to which people of faith may turn for care and advice.
Since poverty and lack of family/father support are two of the most often cited reasons for abortion, we must address these issues as well. Poverty and the weak moral character of irresponsible men are not going to go away without effort and focus. Moreover, while we have often criticized the girls and women who become unexpectedly pregnant, we have not focused sufficiently upon irresponsible and promiscuous boys and men.
The law has changed, but we must remain laser-focused on caring for the life God gives to us in every circumstance.
Peace, Fr. Andy