The abortion rate is steadily rising with renewed access to abortion pills that can be prescribed via tele-health.
While the Supreme Court decision in 2018 opened the door for states to ban abortion, abortions have actually been on the rise since then, especially with the easy acces of the abortion pill.
In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permanently lifted the in-person dispensing requirement for the chemical abortion drug mifepristone, which aborts a child during the first 10 weeks of gestation.
It allowed women seeking an abortion to receive the abortion-inducing drug in the mail after having an online telehealth consultation.
While there have been recent attempts to limit access to abortion pills, the Department of Justice has stayed challenges to the policy, pending a review by the FDA. This has kept access open to abortion pills by mail, thus leading to a rise in abortions across the country.
In response to the increase use of abortion pills, and last year's approval of another generic version of the pill, the US Bishops have called for a nationwide prayer campaign.
Find out more about the stats and the increasing numbers of abortion here.
Prayers to protect women and babies
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley has announced, "From now through the end of October, Respect Life Month, the USCCB Committee on ProLife Activities is inviting Catholics to join a focused effort of prayer and action to stop the
spread of abortion pills."
He explains, "Every abortion involves the death of a child and harm to the mother. Now with easier access to abortion pills, the abortion rate is tragically climbing, along with increased health risks."
To join the effort, the USCCB has a sign-up where you will receive resources and prayers to spread during this campaign.
Archbishop Coakley also provided a prayer invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, Defender of Life.
A Prayer to St. Joseph, Defender of Life
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.
