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Roe v. Wade Is Over!
Today, June 24, 2022, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus no less, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the 1973 ruling that took abortion laws out of the hands of the people and essentially made it permissive to kill unborn children at will. This is a historic day! From the Catholic News Agency:
The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade in a historic 6—3 decision released Friday that brings a sudden and dramatic end to nearly a half-century of nationwide legalized abortion in the U.S.
The opinion, in the Mississippi abortion case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, is widely seen as the Supreme Court’s most highly anticipated and consequential ruling since Roe. It not only overturns Roe, the landmark 1973 abortion case, but also Casey v. Planned Parenthood, a 1992 decision that affirmed Roe.
“Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated that authority,” the opinion states. “We now overrule these decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives.”
I thought this might have been anti-climatic given the leak of this decision a few weeks ago but frankly, when I heard, I started sobbing tears of joy. So much of my politics, heart, and prayers have gone into this. And for it to come on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is too much of a coincidence. It is providential!
In response, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement:
This is a historic day in the life of our country, one that stirs our thoughts, emotions and prayers. For nearly fifty years, America has enforced an unjust law that has permitted some to decide whether others can live or die; this policy has resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of preborn children, generations that were denied the right to even be born.
America was founded on the truth that all men and women are created equal, with God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This truth was grievously denied by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized and normalized the taking of innocent human life. We thank God today that the Court has now overturned this decision. We pray that our elected officials will now enact laws and policies that promote and protect the most vulnerable among us.
Our first thoughts are with the little ones whose lives have been taken since 1973. We mourn their loss, and we entrust their souls to God, who loved them from before all ages and who will love them for all eternity. Our hearts are also with every woman and man who has suffered grievously from abortion; we pray for their healing, and we pledge our continued compassion and support. As a Church, we need to serve those who face difficult pregnancies and surround them with love.
Today’s decision is also the fruit of the prayers, sacrifices, and advocacy of countless ordinary Americans from every walk of life. Over these long years, millions of our fellow citizens have worked together peacefully to educate and persuade their neighbors about the injustice of abortion, to offer care and counseling to women, and to work for alternatives to abortion, including adoption, foster care, and public policies that truly support families. We share their joy today and we are grateful to them. Their work for the cause of life reflects all that is good in our democracy, and the pro-life movement deserves to be numbered among the great movements for social change and civil rights in our nation’s history.
Now is the time to begin the work of building a post-Roe America. 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.
As religious leaders, we pledge ourselves to continue our service to God’s great plan of love for the human person, and to work with our fellow citizens to fulfill America’s promise to guarantee the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people.
I wasn’t going to quote the entire response, but every sentence in there is worth reading. I take humble pride in being one of the millions whose prayers affected this outcome. Don’t ever think that prayers have no effect. They do.
The other thing is that now that we have accomplished this milestone, we must prepare for the battle at the state level. Each state becomes a battleground, and living in New York, I am at the epicenter of Satan’s reign. May God give us fortitude.
But for now, for today: Rejoice!
Published in Politics
Food for thought:
When Elizabeth saw the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the unborn “babe leaped in [her] womb for joy,” because he existed, and he recognized his God was nearby. That unborn babe was St. John the Baptist, Prophet and Forerunner of Jesus Christ. Today is the feast of his nativity. This is not a coincidence.
Thank you Lord for all Your servants who fought for this day but were called back by You before it dawned.
This is a good time to remind people of the racist, eugenicist roots of the abortion movement.
More eugenicist nonsense found here.
That is beautiful! Thank you.
This is spot on. Catholic politicians can no longer hide behind their lies. I’m looking forward to the ecclesial ramifications – do our bishops have the spine?
Spot on Scott.
Manny, thank you for posting these beautiful comments, and for your final words! Rejoice, indeed!!
Does anybody have the PDF of the full decision? Or do I need to reactivate my PACER account?
Yes, I’m lazy.
Never mind. Here it is:https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf
The – Slip opinion / synopsis goes through P. 8.
I would think if you googled it it would come up. But i don’t know. I’m sure it will be made public, if it already hasn’t.
Thank you.
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf
The intimidation campaign and the delay in getting the decision after the leak had me worried one or more justices would go wobbly.
A very good day. The matter isn’t settled, not by a long shot. I fully expect GOP capitulation at the state level but there’s is the benefit of them not being able to hide behind Roe v. Wade any longer.
The WI Assembly thwarted Tony Evers Special Session to codify abortion into state law. I was pleasantly surprised at that. I’m sure they’ll come back for additional bites at the apple but for now – our little corner of the world is better than it was. That feels nice.
I’m not sure this bodes well for elections in our state this fall. The WEC will go into overdrive to ensure the Democrats steal the vote.
It definitely shifts the battle here. Hard to say, it seems like the most motivated (on both sides) are already engaged. Maybe the mushy middle will decide things, don’t know.
I hadn’t even thought of that. Not being Catholic myself, how likely do you think it is?
And all the church said Amen!
Unfortunately, the majority of bishops will do nothing. Archbishop Cordileone has told Nancy Pelosi that she may not present herself for Holy Communion in his diocese. A handful of bishops publicly praised him. However, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington D.C., will do nothing. If Gregory came out and condemned the comments of Biden and Pelosi, that would be huge. But he won’t. And our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has told Biden (allegedly – according to Joey) that he is a “good” Catholic and shouldn’t keep presenting himself for HC. It is sad and embarrassing that our bishops, successors to the Apostles, are so weak and frightened by these politicians. But we continue to pray.
How many had the spine to stand up with Archbishop Cordileone, so no I don’t expect anything of our “shepherds” but I never have.
At Mass this weekend I will thank G-d for President Trump, for 5 justices who can actually read the Constitution and for all those who have stood up to be counted these past 50 years.
So now we all have to engage our neighbors because the fight for Life has just become local & real.
Prayer matters.
Funny how none of these protest signs that are popping up in the headlines are quoting Margaret Sanger. Young women and people in general are very ignorant of history – I add myself to that, as a former liberal feminist – it seems the lightbulb comes on later in life.
It takes time to understand the fullness of life.
Oh how true
I can’t edit my own post at this point, but if I could I would add the following.
It just dawned on me. What a remarkable confluence of events. Not only was June 24, 2022 the day the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, not only was it the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, from whence all compassions comes from, not only was it the birthday of St. John the Baptist, who leaped in the womb, it was the day of peak alignment of the planets. From Space.com:
Dobbs? Does it say his name is Dobbs? Oh my! When I noticed all this coming together and realized it was no coincidence, I literally got goosepimples
Heavenly Father, I am humbled before Your majesty. Guide us to peace.
I praise Archbishops Gomez and Lori for their statement but I wish they would have proclaimed a special mass of Thanksgiving to be prayed this weekend in support of the defeat of RvW and for the faithful who stood steadfast and prayed and fasted for this day.
That’s a great idea. It’s not too late. Perhaps if we all write to our bishops.
The South Bend Tribune had an article on responses from key leaders. Included were
Notre Dame President the Rev. John Jenkins: “I hope that today’s Supreme Court decision, which returns the question of abortion to voters and their elected representatives, will provide an occasion for sober deliberation and respectful dialogue.”
The Rev. Kevin Rhoades, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend: “The gravely immoral and unjust decision in 1973 has finally been reversed, after so many years of prayer and sacrifices, advocacy and peaceful witness for the protection of the lives of the innocent unborn.”
Don’t just hope! Say something, man. Start a dialog.
Jello John Jenkins.