Abortion

God loves each human life from the instant of his or her conception and entrusts this gift to the protection of a mother and father. Abortion ends the life of a child and offends God. It also deeply wounds the women and men involved.

The Truth About Abortion and Women's Health

This one-page resource dispels the many myths which claim restrictions on abortion will limit women's access to life-saving care. This resource can be printed in parish bulletins, included in newsletters, shared on social media, and more in order to help educate Catholics about these false claims.

Chemical Abortion

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it is eliminating important safety requirements for chemical abortion under its Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).

Several fact sheets provide background information on chemical abortion, safety protocols to protect the mother, and why the abortion lobby opposes the REMS and encourages in-home abortion, including by online mail-order.

Taxpayer-Funded Abortion

Information:

WEBINAR: Stop Taxpayer-Funded Abortion (May 19, 2021)

Bishops' Chairmen Statements:

Letter to Senator Wicker and Congressman Smith on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (January 27, 2023)
U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Respond to House Vote to Force Taxpayers to Fund Abortion Overseas (July 30, 2021)
U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Respond to House Vote to Force Taxpayers to Fund Elective Abortions (July 29, 2021)
Bishop Chairmen Respond to Extreme Abortion Push in Appropriations Bill (July 13, 2021)
U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Call on House of Representatives to Retain Longstanding, Bipartisan Pro-Life Policies (June 28, 2021)
Letter to Congress on FY 2022 Appropriations Bill (April 19, 2021)
U.S. Bishop Chairmen Join Statement on Abortion Funding in American Rescue Plan (March 5, 2021)

Church Teaching

A Matter of the Heart: On the 30th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, USCCB, November 12, 2002
Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activitiesampaign in Support of Life, USCCB, November 2001
Living the Gospel of Lifehallenge to American Catholics, USCCB, November 1998 (En Español)
Light & Shadows: Our Nation 25 Years after Roe v. Wade, NCCB, November 12, 1997
Evangelium Vitae: The Value and Inviolability of Human Life , Pope John Paul II, March 25, 1995
Resolution on Abortion, NCCB, November 7, 1989

Information

FACT SHEET: Backgrounder on the Equal Rights Amendment (2023)
The Truth About Abortion and Women's Health | USCCB
FACT SHEET: Dobbs Fact Sheet
FACT SHEETS: Chemical Abortion (December 2021)
FACT SHEET: The Women's Health Protection Act (September 2021)
Reality Check: The Extreme Campaign Against the Hyde Amendment
FACT SHEET: Abortion is Not Healthcare
FACT SHEET: Planned Parenthood: Setting the Record Straight
FACT SHEET: Do You Know Roe?
FACT SHEET: Roe v. Wade: Questions and Answers (en español)
Roe v. Wade
Doe v. Bolton
Related Supreme Court Decisions
Summary of Roe v. Wade and Other Key Abortion Cases
Comments on Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court Justices
Reactions of the Appeals Court Justices
Reactions of Legal Scholars
Supreme Court's Response to the Question: When Does Life Begin?
Scientific Community's Responses to the Question: When Does Life Begin?

Leader Resources

Find downloadable resources such as prayers, brochures, graphics, posters, and more for use in your parish, ministry, or school on our dedicated Respect Life resources website.

Respect Life Resources

In-Depth Resources

Articles and Publications
Testimony and Letters
News Releases and Statements

Articles and Publications

Fathers’ Irreplaceable Role in Welcoming Life, Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre, Bishop of Houma-Thiboudaux, 2020
Roe vs. Reason, Richard Stith, J.D., Ph.D., 2005
Ten Legal Reasons to Reject Roe, Susan E. Wills, Esq., 2003

Testimony and Letters

Letter to Senator Graham in support of the “Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act” (October 26, 2023)
Joint Letter to Congress on the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) (July 14, 2023)
Letter to Congress opposing the VA Rule and the DOD Policy (April 18, 2023)
Letter to Congress on Pro-Life Appropriations Priorities for Fiscal Year 2024 (March 30, 2023)
Letter to the Senate and Backgrounder on the Equal Rights Amendment (February 27, 2023)
“Letter to Senator Wicker and Congressman Smith on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (January 27, 2023)
Letter to Senator Daines and Representative Estes regarding “Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act” (January 18, 2023)
Letter to House on Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 26) (January 10, 2023)
Letter to Senator Graham and Congressman Smith regarding “Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act” (September 19, 2022)
Letter to House of Representatives in Opposition to the Women’s Health Protection Act (July, 2022)
Letter to Congress on FY 2023 Appropriations (April 2022)
Letter to Senators in Opposition to Second Vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act (March 9, 2022)
Letter to Senators in Opposition to the Women’s Health Protection Act (February 23, 2022)
Bishop Chairmen Express Support for the Conscience Protection Act (December 2021)
Letter to the Committee on Energy and Commerce on Abortion Funding (September 13, 2021)
On Judicial Nominees, Letter to Senate, President of USCCB, July 6, 2018
On the Scope and Myths of Roe v. Wade , Testimony to Subcommittee on the Constitution of the House of Representative Committee, Helen Alvare, March 2, 2006
The Case for Human Life Amendment, Testimony to Subcommittee on the Constitution of the U.S, Senate Judiciary Committee, November 5, 1981
- Testimony of Archbishop John Roach
- Testimony of Cardinal Terrence Cooke
On Constitutional Amendment Protecting Unborn Human Life, Testimony to Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House Subcommittee on the Judiciary, USCCB, March 24, 1976
- Testimony of Archbishop Joseph Bernardin
- Testimony of Cardinal Terence Cooke
On Constitutional Amendment Protecting Unborn Human Life, Testimony to Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments of the Senate Committee, USCCB, March 7, 1974
- Testimony of Cardinal John Krol
- Testimony of Cardinal Timothy Manning
- Testimony of Cardinal Humberto Medeiros
- Testimony of Cardinal John Cody

News Releases and Statements

Bishop Burbidge Reflects on Anniversary of Dobbs Decision and the Impact of the Eucharistic Revival on the Pro-Life Movement | Full Statement (June 20, 2024)
‘Thoroughly Surround Mothers in Need with Loving Support,’ says Bishop Burbidge, Marking Anniversary of Roe v. Wade | Full Statement (January 16, 2024)
U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Asks for “Radical Solidarity” with Mothers in Respect Life Month Statement September 18, 2023
Pro-life Chairman's Statement on Dobbs Anniversary (June 2, 2023)
Respect Life Month is Opportunity for Catholics to Join in “Radical Solidarity” with Pregnant Mothers (September 21, 2022)
Statement in anticipation of the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (March 2022)
U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Denounces FDA Decision on Chemical Abortion Pill (December 16, 2021)
U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman on Supreme Court’s Dobbs Case (December 1, 2021)
2021 Respect for Life Month Statement (September 27, 2021)
U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Responds to House Vote on Bill that Imposes Radical “Abortion on Demand Until Birth” (September 24, 2021)
Letter to Representatives in Opposition to the Women’s Health Protection Act (September 15, 2021)
Statement of U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman on Supporting Pregnant and New Mothers (September 9, 2021)
U.S. Bishop Chairmen Speak Out on U.S. Department of Justice Dismissal of a Case Involving Conscience Law (August 12, 2021)
U.S. Bishop Chairmen Say Equality Act Would Discriminate Against People of Faith and Threaten Unborn Life (February 23, 2021)
Chairman of U.S Bishops' Conference Committee on Pro-Life Activities Calls for National Prayer Effort That Every Human Being is Protected In Law And Welcomed in Life, July 19, 2018
President of U.S. Bishops' Conference to Senate: Support for Roe v. Wade Should Not Be Used as Litmus Test for Judicial Nominees, July 6, 2018
Cardinal Keeler Urges Senate To Reject Pro-Abortion Test For Judicial Nominees, January 6, 2005

Abortion Healing

Project Rachel is a ministry of the Catholic Church in the U.S. to those who have been involved in abortion. It is a diocesan-based network of specially trained priests, religious, counselors, and laypersons who provide a team response of care for those suffering in the aftermath of abortion. In addition to referring for Sacramental Reconciliation, the ministry provides an integrated network of services, including pastoral counseling, support groups, retreats and referrals to licensed mental health professionals.

It is open to all . . . people of all faiths or no faith.

For more information on abortion healing and find help for you or someone you know, visit "Hope After Abortion" or in Spanish www.Esperanzaposaborto.org

Pro-Life Activities

Abortion

Abortion

Abortion

The Truth About Abortion and Women's Health

Chemical Abortion