Reflections on the Thirty-Fourth Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Bishop Robert J. McManus, Diocese of Worcester
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
January 22, 2007 marks the 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade , the Supreme Court decision which, with its companion case Doe v. Bolton , legalized abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy in every state in the nation. In accordance with the General Instruction of the Roman Missal , January 22 nd is to be a “day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.” This particular law became mandatory in all dioceses of the United States in 2003.
Clearly we see what the tragedy of abortion has done to our nation. Each year, an estimated 1.3 million lives are lost through abortion, leaving in its wake countless grieving women and men. As the U.S. Bishops' statement A Matter of the Heart points out, “ Roe promised women a freedom to participate more fully in society, but it took their children and broke their hearts. Countless women have suffered physically, emotionally, and spiritually because of abortion…” As Catholics we must heed the Lord's call to life and pray for the strength, determination, and ability to continue working to reverse Roe v. Wade . We must also continue to work diligently to proclaim the message of the merciful and reconciling love of Christ to our brothers and sisters who are suffering from abortion's devastating aftermath.
While we recall the detrimental effects on society caused by the Roe decision, we are encouraged by the many youth today who, while having to look around and wonder about the nearly one-third of their peers, friends, and siblings whose lives “might have been”, have nonetheless heard Christ's call to life and have emerged as a generation who convey a particular enthusiasm for the defense of human life and a special compassion for those most vulnerable in our society.
As Pope Benedict XVI has pointed out, “Indeed, the human person has been endowed with a very exalted dignity, which is rooted in the intimate bond that unites him with his Creator: a reflection of God's own reality shines out in the human person, in every person, whatever the stage or condition of his life.” This reminds us that even though we face numerous threats to human dignity in today's society, we are called ever more to prayer and perseverance in bearing witness to the Gospel of Life.
I encourage our diocesan parishes and institutions to observe reverently the January 22 nd Day of Penance and Prayer within their communities. Let us unite our hearts and minds through prayer and good works with others throughout the country on that day, in promoting the inherent dignity of all human life from conception to natural death. May all of us respond generously to the challenge the late Pope John Paul II put forth in Evangelium vitae : “A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. May an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from the heart of every believer.” Our active participation in the shared commitment to the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human person, will, with God's grace, truly work toward the good of all humanity as we strive to live the Gospel of Life.
With every prayerful best wish, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester
January 8, 2007