The archbishop of Oklahoma City used the annual celebration of Labor Day to remind Americans of the importance of workers and the dignity of the working family.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, who also serves as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued a statement this Labor Day about the need to promote social policies that are pro-marriage and pro-family. 

“This unique moment necessitates a society and an economy that supports marriages, families, and women; it demands that all of us reach across political aisles and work diligently to reframe social policies in ways that are pro-woman, pro-family, pro-worker and, thus, authentically pro-life,” Coakley said in the statement. 

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Church is embarking on a new effort of pushing for pro-family, pro-marriage, and eventually "authentically pro-life" policies.

Coakley promoted the "Child Tax Credit" and "Pregnant Workers Fairness Act" along with an incentive for families to pursue a just society and economy that is "pro-woman, pro-family, pro-worker and, thus, authentically pro-life."

The Child Tax Credit is an IRS funding system that allocates a certain amount for families with children. As of 2022, the Child Tax Credit is $2,000 per child. Archbishop Coakley is advocating for an expansion for financially vulnerable families. 

The Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act is a bill in Congress that "prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for qualified employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions" according to Congress.gov. The bill has not yet been signed into law. 

Coakley applauded the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

“The ruling is an incredibly significant step toward healing the deep wounds of abortion and protecting all pre-born human life,” he said in his Labor Day statement. He emphasized that although this is a historic step for society, Catholics and the Church must fight for policies and a world where abortion is eradicated. This begins with social policies that are pro-family and pro-marriage.