There is still much work to be done on the topic of abortion despite the past successes, said Bishop Daniel Thomas in a statement released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) ahead of the March for Life and anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.
"We continue to give thanks to God for the opportunity to defend human life in law through the overturn of Roe in 2022. Since that time, we have seen several pro-life victories," said Bishop Thomas, who is the chairman of the USCCB's pro-life committee and the bishop of Toledo, Ohio.
He noted that Congress had defunded abortion providers and that the current presidential administration "has reversed several of its predecessor's pro-abortion policies."
Despite this, "human life is still gravely threatened by legalized abortion as it continues to be aggressively promoted at the state and federal level," he said.
These challenges include "pro-abortion ballot initiatives," the continued availability of abortion pills, and the vulnerability of the Hyde Amendment.
"We must continue to support pregnant and parenting mothers in need and offer spiritual and emotional help to all who have participated in abortion," he said. "Our united prayers, sacrifices, and efforts to protect human life and heal the wounds inflicted by abortion remain as important as ever."
Bishop Thomas encouraged people to "see the face of Christ in every single person, in every pregnant mother, and every child in the womb," and to "remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that every human life may be protected in law and welcomed in love, and that abortion may be unthinkable.”
USCCB to host novena, annual prayer vigil, ahead of March for Life
Ahead of the March for Life on January 23, the USCCB will once again host the National Prayer Vigil for Life and the 9 Days for Life Novena.
The 9 Days for Life Novena begins on January 16, and features reflections honoring human life.
The prayer vigil is held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
The vigil begins with an opening Mass in the basilica's Great Upper Church at 5 p.m. on January 22, said a press release from the USCCB. The principal celebrant and homilist is Bishop Thomas.
Following the opening Mass, there will be a series of Holy Hours in the Crypt Church of the basilica, before a closing Mass at 8 a.m. on January 22.
