Editor’s note: Bishop Joseph M. Siegel has shared the letter below from Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas, and chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities. Archbishop Naumann released the statement on the National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Please join Bishop Siegel in prayer for the legal protection of unborn children, and for respect for the dignity of all life – from conception to natural death.
January 22, 2020
My dear friends in Christ:
January 22 marks the sorrowful anniversary of the tragic Supreme Court decisions of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which legalized abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. The Church will never abandon her efforts to reverse these terrible decisions that have led to the deaths of millions of innocent children and the traumatization of countless women and families.
As the Church and growing numbers of pro-life Americans continue to advocate for women and children in courthouses and legislatures, the Church’s pastoral response is focused on the needs of women facing pregnancies in challenging circumstances. While this has long been the case, the pastoral response will soon intensify.
The Committee on Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is asking bishops to invite parishes in their dioceses to join a nationwide effort from March 25, 2020 through March 25, 2021 entitled, “Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service.”
Recognizing that women in need can be most effectively reached at the local level, the “Year of Service” invites parishes to assess, communicate and expand resources to expectant mothers within their own communities. The U.S. Bishops will be providing resources, outreach tools, and models to assist parishes in this important effort.
We pray that “Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service” will help us reach every pregnant mother in need, that she may know she can turn to her local Catholic community for help and authentic friendship.
Sincerely yours in Jesus, the Lord of Life,
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
Archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities