Bishop Thomas calls for continued support for mothers on Roe v. Wade anniversary
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement marking the 53rd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. The ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide, was overturned in 2022, but Bishop Thomas warned that abortion remains widely promoted at both state and federal levels.
“January 22 marks the anniversary of the tragic U.S. Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, that legalized abortion nationwide and led to the loss of over 65 million children and immeasurable harm to their parents and family members. This solemn day is commemorated each year with the observance of the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children for prayer, penance, and our personal recommitment to the cause of life.
“We continue to give thanks to God for the opportunity to defend human life in law through the overturn of Roe in 2022. Since that time, we have seen several pro-life victories. Most recently, at the national level, Congress acted heroically last year in largely defunding Planned Parenthood of federal taxpayer dollars. Meanwhile the Administration has reversed several of its predecessor’s pro-abortion policies.
“Despite these successes, human life is still gravely threatened by legalized abortion as it continues to be aggressively promoted at the state and federal level. Many challenges remain, including pro-abortion ballot initiatives, the increased use and availability of abortion pills, and the need to protect the Hyde Amendment to keep taxpayer funded abortion out of national health care bills. We must continue to support pregnant and parenting mothers in need and offer spiritual and emotional help to all who have participated in abortion. Our united prayers, sacrifices, and efforts to protect human life and heal the wounds inflicted by abortion remain as important as ever,” said Bishop Thomas.
The Archdiocese of Philedelphia plays a significant role within Pennsylvania’s Catholic community by providing faith education programs and social services such as nutritional aid and counseling across five counties (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery), according to its official website. The archdiocese also coordinates outreach through agencies like Nutritional Development Services and Catholic Social Services (official website). With more than 1.3 million Catholics served in its area since its founding in 1808—and designation as an archdiocese in 1875—the organization focuses on evangelization efforts from its central worship site at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (official website).
The archdiocese continues its work by offering extensive services including education programs for faith formation as well as social support initiatives designed to address community needs (official website). Archbishop Nelson Pérez has led these efforts since his installation as tenth archbishop in 2020 (official website).
