Columns 2022

On Friday, Jan. 21, the 49th annual March for Life will take place in the nation’s capital to let the nation know that all life is sacred from the womb to the tomb. This year’s theme is, “Equality Begins in the Womb.” The March for Life marks the Jan. 22, 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade, which made abortion legal.

On Jan. 22, citizens of United States will mark a grim anniversary — 49 years ago, abortion was made legal when the U.S. Su­preme Court made its landmark decision on the Roe v. Wade case. For almost five decades, Catholics and pro-life advocates have continuously fought this decision in the hope that one day that the right to life is protected for all babies in the womb, and the evil that is abortion will end.

Once again, we approach the sad anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision on Jan. 22, 1973, 49 years ago, that legalized abortion throughout our country. When we think of the millions of innocent lives that have been taken over these past 49 years and the damage done to Moms and all those involved in the “abortion industry,” we must ask ourselves what this says about us as a society and nation? As people of faith, we have to ask whether, as in the teachings of St. Pope John Paul II, a Culture of Death is winning the battle in our effort to promote and build a Culture of Life?

On March 27, 2020, at an early point in the global pandemic, Pope Francis walked alone in the rain across an empty St. Peter’s Square to offer prayer for the world in a time of crisis. “Faith,” he said, “begins when we realize we are in need of salvation. We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we founder: we need the Lord, like ancient navigators needed the stars.” Recalling when Jesus was asleep in the boat as a tempest was raging (Mk 4:35–41), the Holy Father said, “The Lord awakens so as to reawaken and revive our Easter faith.” On that day, Pope Francis presided over the rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction in order to focus our attention on the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. The Pope was reminding us that even in a time of turbulence and crisis, Jesus is present among us, as present as he was long ago in the boat on the Sea of Galilee.