Abortion overturned in the USA

Praying in front of a Pro-Life monument erected in 2010 in Baker City Cathedral.

The US Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling that shreds half a century of constitutional protections on one of the most divisive and bitterly fought issues in American political life. Catholics across political spectrum responded with joy, anger and trepidation to June 24 decision that overturned its earlier 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that had guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion. Several U.S. Catholic bishops praised the high court's ruling by stating "this is a historic day in the life of our country, one that stirs our thoughts, emotions and prayers." This historic decision was the fruit of the prayers, sacrifices, and advocacy of countless ordinary Americans from every walk of life, Catholics and Christians in particular. It is a time for healing wounds and repairing social divisions; it is a time for reasoned reflection and civil dialogue, and for coming together to build a society and economy that supports marriages and families, and where every woman has the support and resources she needs to bring her child into this world in love.

Blessing the ultra-sound/sonogram machine in 2014 in Bend, OR.

I have personally witnessed and prayed and marched for the Pro-Life issue over the 35 years I spent serving in US parishes. I know up close and personal how devoted people were for the rights of the unborn, and this is certainly a response to their never-ending prayers, vigils and appeals. Back in 2014 I blessed a sonogram machine in my parish in Bend, Oregon. This was bought with money raised by the Knights of Columbus to encourage young women to reconsider a move to abort their unborn child. The Pregnancy Resource Center was set up to encourage pregnant women to monitor their unborn child, and when they saw the movement of the foetus, and hearing the baby’s heart-beat, so many women decided to continue with their pregnancy, instead of heading to an abortion clinic. Who knows how many babies were saved because of this machine which was bought with $26,000 by the K of C members.

This decision represents a victory of 50 years of struggle against abortion by the religious right but the anti-abortion camp is expected to continue to push for an outright nationwide ban. The Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life also issued a statement praising the Court's decision, but notably also called for "developing political choices that promote conditions of existence in favor of life. This also means ensuring adequate sexual education, guaranteeing health care accessible to all and preparing legislative measures to protect the family and motherhood, overcoming existing inequalities. In my Cathedral parish in Baker City, I also erected a monument for children, born and unborn, and even though it was vandalized occasionally, the angels are still there protecting our innocent children as well as the millions of unborn babies (see photo above.)