The Catholic Church is celebrating Respect Life Month, but Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life works year-round “to secure protection for innocent human life from conception until natural death through education, legislation, and political action.” 

Catholic leaders took advantage of the month to offer support for the work the Minnesota group is doing, with Archbishop William E. Lori, of Baltimore, outlining the Church's stance against abortion and calling for a renewed emphasis on the culture of life.

“It is the time for a renewal and rededication of our efforts to build a culture of life and civilization of love,” Lori said in a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) press release. Lori formerly chaired the USCCB. “Justice requires that the basic protections of the law against violence be extended to the pre-born child, ... a world in which all are welcome requires not only justice, but compassion, healing, and above all, unconditional love.”  

Catholics must “shift the paradigm to what St. Pope John Paul II described as ‘radical solidarity,’ making the good of others our own good, including especially mothers, babies (born and unborn), and families throughout the entire human lifespan,” Lori said.

He called the victory in Dobbs v. Jackson a starting point for the Church as its parishioners pray for pro-life legislation in the states.

“Our Church understands that parents, children, and families need help not just during pregnancy, but throughout the whole of life’s journey because millions of Catholics already accompany their neighbors in such circumstances,” Lori continued.

The Catholic Church has staunchly opposed abortion for centuries, regardless of evolving biological theories about when exactly life begins, according to the USCCB. The Catechism directs thus: "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law" (No. 2271) 

In a May 2022 survey, a Gallup Poll found that the majority of Americans do not support unrestricted access to abortion. Half of the survey’s respondents said they believe abortion should only be legal under certain circumstances, and 13% said they believed abortion should be illegal in all circumstances. One out of three (35%) respondents believed abortion should be legal in all cases. 

RespectLife.org offers materials to help Catholics better understand the gift of human life. They can use the materials to help rebuild the culture of life within and outside the Church. Its website includes a parish webinar, a Respect Life poster, a prayer for pregnant mothers, an action guide and many other resources. 

Other Catholic leaders have echoed Lori's sentiments.

“Our work for the cause of life is more spiritual than it is political,” Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, who serves as president of the USCCB, tweeted about Respect Life Month. “We believe that our God is a God of love. Let us ask him today in our rosary to open our hearts to the love for all life, even those hardest to love.”