Supreme Court strikes down federal abortion "right" in the United StatesJune 24, 2023 marked the one-year anniversary of the landmark "Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization" decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, which declared that the Constitution did not provide for abortion rights and thus the 1973 "Roe v. Wade" decision was overturned.
For this reason, 31 Democratic Party legislators in the U.S. Congress - who declare themselves "Catholics" - issued a joint statement in which, according to the U.S. bishops, they misrepresent the teachings of the Catechism of the Church and St. John Paul II to justify abortion. As Catholics, the legislators say, "we believe that all individuals are free to make their own decisions about their bodies, their families and their future," they point out.
The assembly members evoke freedom of conscience by quoting the Catechism to justify their arguments: "A human being must always obey the certain judgment of his conscience. If he or she were to act deliberately against it, he or she would condemn himself or herself. Conscience is a sacred gift and a responsibility: we are called to follow our conscience," say the democrats. In this sense, they assert that "the fundamental principles of our Catholic faith - social justice, conscience and religious freedom - compel us to defend a woman's right to abortion". The letter is signed, among others, by Democratic Party legislators Rosa L. DeLauro, Pete Aguilar, Joaquin Castro, Nancy Pelosi and Nydia Velázquez, among others.
Bishops' response
Timothy P. Broglio, archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine issued a statement on June 28, objecting to the legislators' claims and indicating that their assertions seriously distort the faith. "It is wrong and inconsistent to assert that cutting off an innocent human life at its most vulnerable stage is in keeping with the dignity and well-being of people in need. Human life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception, including through civil laws. Abortion violates this aspect of unborn children and brings numerous unspeakable consequences to women. Conscience is not a license to commit evil and take innocent lives," the prelates affirm.
Since it went into effect on June 24, 2022, 15 U.S. states have banned or limited abortion up to 6 weeks gestation. While in 27 states, termination of pregnancy is allowed up to 25 weeks.
In this regard, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, indicated that the invalidation of the Roe v. WadeThe new year marks a new stage, but not the end: "In this changing political landscape, we remain confident in our efforts to defend life. The work remains not only to change laws, but to help change hearts. We have faith in God's power to do so. Each of us is called to stand in solidarity with women facing an unexpected or challenging pregnancy, which means doing all we can to provide them with the care and support they need to welcome their children," Burbidge said.
