2025 CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN
Help Aleteia continue its mission by making a tax-deductible donation.
In this way, Aleteia's future will be yours as well.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a prayer on July 25 asking for St. Joseph, Defender of Life, to intercede for the United States and to end the taxpayer funding of the abortion industry.
"History was recently made when Planned Parenthood and other big abortion businesses were banned from receiving federal Medicaid dollars for one year," said a statement co-signed by USCCB President Archbishop Timothy Broglio and Bishop Daniel Thomas, chairman of the conference's pro-life committee.
Archbishop Broglio is the archbishop of the Military Services, USA, and current president of the US bishops.
Bishop Brown is the head of the Diocese of Toledo.
The ban on federal Medicaid dollars going to abortion providers was part of the "One Big Beautiful Deal Act," regulating spending and taxation, but the ban did not last, noted the bishops.
"Planned Parenthood immediately sued in a federal court and the judge swiftly granted part of a preliminary injunction, requiring the abortion giant’s taxpayer funding to continue," said the statement. "Otherwise, children’s lives could be saved every day."
Focused effort of prayer
Americans, said the bishops, "should not be forced to pay for the killing of preborn children or fund the clinics that kill them. The USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities is inviting Catholics to join a focused effort of prayer to stop taxpayer funding of the abortion industry."
Here's the text of the prayer, which the bishops are requesting is prayed daily until October 1. (October 1 is the start of the annual "Respect Life Month" in the United States.)
Dearest St. Joseph, at the word of an angel, you lovingly took Mary into your home. As God’s humble servant, you guided the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem, welcomed Jesus as your own son in the shelter of a manger, and fled far from your homeland for the safety of both Mother and Child. We praise God that as their faithful protector, you never hesitated to sacrifice for those entrusted to you. May your example inspire us also to welcome, cherish, and safeguard God’s most precious gift of life. Help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life — especially where it is vulnerable or threatened. Obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things. Amen.
On July 21, a federal judge issued an injunction allowing Planned Parenthood members who do not provide abortions or have received less than $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in 2023 to continue receiving Medicaid funds. Planned Parenthood Federation of America consists of member clinics and medical affiliates.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, July 29, 22 states, plus the District of Columbia, filed suit against the Trump administration, seeking to restore Medicaid funding to all Planned Parenthood members.
