Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Ahead of Respect Life Month, the pro-life committee chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling for “a revival of prayer and action” to end abortion and uphold the sanctity of human life.

A statement for the October observance, written by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, was released by the USCCB on Sept. 19 and posted to the website of the USCCB’s Respect Life Month initiative. The effort traces its origins to 1972, just before the U.S. Supreme Court rulings on Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which broadly legalized abortion in 1973.

In his message, Bishop Burbidge emphasized that “Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, gives us the fullness of life,” and “calls each of us to respect that gift of life in every human person.”

The bishop referred to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress held in July in Indianapolis as part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year effort by U.S. bishops to rekindle devotion to Christ's real presence in the Eucharist.

The congress and preceding Eucharistic processions “involved hundreds of thousands of Catholics who will never be the same,” he said. “The revival continues and is so needed, especially in our efforts to defend human life.”

He quoted a 2013 address by Pope Francis to Catholic medical professionals: “Every child who, rather than being born, is condemned unjustly to being aborted bears the face of Jesus Christ...”

However, according to Bishop Burbidge, “the law and millions of our brothers and sisters have yet to recognize this reality.”

Despite the Supreme Court’s June 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton allowing elected officials “to reduce or end abortion... fifty years of virtually unlimited abortion has tragically created a national mindset where many Americans have become comfortable with some amount of abortion,” said Bishop Burbidge.

Abortion rates rose or stayed at pre-Roe levels following the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe and Doe rulings.

Globally, there are approximately 73.3 million abortions each year according to the Guttmacher Institute — a number about 4 million greater than United Kingdom’s current population.

“Given this challenge,” said Bishop Burbidge quoting a 2024 document by U.S. Bishops on conscience formation and political responsibility for Catholics: "abortion remains our pre-eminent priority as it directly attacks our most vulnerable brothers and sisters."

With the U.S. presidential election approaching, Bishop Burbidge urged Catholics in America to “renew our commitment to work for legal protection for every human life from conception to natural death” and vote for candidates who will defend human dignity.

Additionally, he called for policies assisting women and children in need while continuing support through local pregnancy help centers and parish-based initiatives like Walking with Moms in Need.

Faithful must also extend compassion towards those suffering from participation in abortion through church ministries such as Project Rachel.

“Most importantly,” said Bishop Burbidge, “we must rededicate ourselves to fervent prayer on behalf of life.” He invited Catholics "to join me in a concerted effort" by daily praying their Respect Life Month 'Prayer for Life' until national elections.

The text of this prayer along with resources for Respect Life Month can be found at https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month.