Category Archives: Educational Resources

New York State Bishops Release Major New Statement on Abortion

The Catholic Bishops of New York State have released a major new statement on abortion as they anticipate the looming Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, and “the gathering societal unrest over the issue of abortion.” (The full statement is available HERE)

In the statement titled, “Toward a Pro-Life Future in the Empire State,” the Bishops acknowledge that, regardless of what the Court decides in Dobbs, “abortion in New York would continue unfettered.” They say that Catholics must respond “in charity and with sensitivity, but with clarity” to those for whom the prospect of an overturning of Roe v. Wade has led to “fear and anxiety,” and in particular to women facing sometimes overwhelming challenges of unplanned pregnancies.

The Bishops address head-on the false notion that the Church is more concerned with the baby in the womb than with the mother and child once he or she is born, and announce a renewed pastoral effort, challenging every Catholic entity in the state to join them:
“As far back as the 1980s, the late John Cardinal O’Connor, a giant of the pro-life movement, made a pledge that we reaffirm today: Any woman – regardless of age, religious belief or affiliation, marital status or immigration status – who is pregnant and in need, can come to the Catholic Church and we will give you the services and supports you need to carry your baby to term, regardless of your ability to pay. Furthermore, we will not abandon you and your baby after delivery, but, rather, we will see to it that you have the resources that you and your child both need and deserve. No one will be turned away from life-affirming care. If you have had an abortion that you regret, whether recently or in the distant past, please come to us as well, so that we may offer you services to help you to heal.
“We ask every Catholic parish, every Catholic Charities program, every Catholic health facility, every Catholic school, every Catholic college and university, and every religious community in our state to proactively engage with us in this pastoral effort.”

To that end, the Bishops have launched a new pregnancy resources page, Help for Moms, at www.nyscatholic.org/helpformoms, where women can find services available to them. The page will be continually updated with new resources.

Finally, the Bishops call on elected officials to work toward a New York that is more supportive of women in crisis pregnancies, and to gear public policies away from continually seeking to increase abortions and toward helping those “who might well make a different choice, if only they were aware of and had other options.” The Bishops then present a list of 12 aspirational statements of what such a New York might look like. Over the coming days, the New York State Catholic Conference’s social media platforms will highlight each of the aspirational statements, with the hashtags #WeEnvision and #HelpForMoms.

“Let us work toward making New York a state where even if abortion is not illegal, it will one day be unthinkable.,” the Bishops conclude.

The statement is signed by Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, and Bishops Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany, Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn, Michael W. Fisher of Buffalo, Terry R. LaValley of Ogdensburg, Salvatore R. Matano of Rochester, John O. Barres of Rockville Centre, and Douglas J. Lucia of Syracuse, on behalf of all of the state’s bishops, including auxiliary and emeritus bishops.

 

Into Life

The Sisters of Life and the McGrath Institute for Church Life teamed up with CampCampo Films to create an original 12-part video series based on the work of the Sisters serving women who are pregnant. Journey with the Sisters of Life as they explain what it means to walk with a woman who is pregnant and vulnerable. Learn what it means to deeply listen to and understand the heart of another, how to rejoice in the beauty of the individual person, and what it means to truly accompany someone into God’s life and freedom.

The watch to series click here: https://intolifeseries.com/

USCCB Chemical Abortion Fact Sheets

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it is eliminating some of the safety requirements for chemical abortion under its Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). The USCCB has created fact sheets providing background information on chemical abortion, safety protocols to protect the mother, and why the abortion lobby opposes the REMS and encourages in-home, mail-order abortion. Click here for more information: https://www.usccb.org/chemical-abortion-fact-sheets

Be sure to sign up for USCCB alerts to receive texts on critical life issues across the United States!

October 14th Pray for Dobbs Information Webinar

USCCB Webinar: Court case that could overturn Roe

Abortion takes the lives of over 600,000 babies per year in the United States. The upcoming Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is our greatest opportunity in a generation to change that.

Join with Christians across the country – Catholic and Protestant – uniting in prayer and fasting for a just decision in the Dobbs case.

At this webinar, you will hear from legal experts and national faith leaders like the the USCCB pro-life committee's chair, Archbishop Naumann, on:

• Why Dobbs is important – from both a legal and faith perspective;
• Why Christians across the country are uniting in prayer and fasting; and
• How you can get involved and get others involved.

All registrants will receive the recording and periodic updates on the initiative. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Registration Link