Father Joseph Writes Could it really be true — after 49 years, Roe v. Wade has been overturned? As we look back on this historic day, we owe thanks to every man, woman, and child who, over the past 49 years, advocated for life and prayed unceasingly to reach this tremendous victory. As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated, it is the fruit of these labors that has brought about this momentous legal decision to uphold the natural law. We should praise the six Supreme Court Justices who voted to overturn Roe for their courage in upholding the dignity of human life. Thanks to their ruling, the beating hearts of many more unborn babies will now have a chance to survive. It is a cause for rejoicing, giving all thanksgiving and praise to God for His providential care over our nation and the lives of those entrusted to us. But it is also an occasion for renewed prayer and action because this announcement is not an end to abortion in our country. In many ways, the battle has just begun. In this edition of Marian Helper, we consider practical next steps for the pro-life movement. The matter has now returned to the states, which is where it should have been from the beginning. It puts the issue back in the hands of voters, for them to decide. We trust in the process. Therefore, we must redouble our prayers that voters across the country will stand up for life, imitating the courage shown by our Supreme Court Justices and demanded by God. Abortion is not a political issue. It is a pre-eminent moral issue based in natural law that states that only God, not man, is the author of life and death. Thus, this can be seen as an act of God’s mercy, as His justice could have easily sent further chastisement of our nation for the killing of tens of millions of innocent lives. Instead, God has given us the chance to start anew. Let us not reject this grace. Lastly, we call on our government officials to condemn swiftly and unequivocally any violence that may result from the June 24th announcement, just as our government condemns other forms of violence, because all life is sacred. The words of the Great Mercy Pope and defender of life, St. John Paul II, come to mind. In his homily during Mass in Washington, D.C., in 1979, he said: We will stand up every time that human life is threatened. When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked, we will stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life. When a child is described as a burden or is looked upon only as a means to satisfy an emotional need, we will stand up and insist that every child is a unique and unrepeatable gift of God, with the right to a loving and united family. To which we can add a resounding “Amen!” Where were you on June 24, 2022? It was the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and I was in France, leading a pilgrimage to Marian shrines including La Salette and Lourdes. But news traveled at lightning speed across the Atlantic when the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. THE BATTLE CONTINUES “Father Joseph, MIC,” is the honorary title of the director of the Association of Marian Helpers. The current director is the Very Rev. Chris Alar, MIC. On July 29, 2022, Fr. Chris was also named the new interim Provincial Superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province in the United States and Argentina, which is headquartered at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. Marian Helper • Fall 2022 • Marian.org 3
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