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. The Church has consistently taught that every human life is sacred; therefore, every intentional abortion is gravely wrong. Abortion ends the life of a child and offends God. It also deeply wounds the women and men involved.
If someone you know is suffering after abortion, find help through Project Rachel Ministry.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ended the nearly fifty-year nationwide regime of abortion on demand that was ushered in by the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. This regime was based on the indefensible view that the U.S. Constitution forbids government from protecting the preborn child in the womb from the violence of abortion. The Supreme Court in Dobbs concluded that there is nothing in the Constitution’s text, history, American legal tradition, or the Court’s precedents that justified the extreme holding of Roe.
In Dobbs, the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives at the Federal and State levels. It will take time for the Dobbs decision to play out and there is great variation in how states treat abortion. In the meantime, abortion is legal in more states than not, and more work is needed in the coming months and years.
A full listing of the current policy initiatives of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities can be found by visiting usccb.org/prolife/policy-issues.
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.
Most abortions are no longer done by surgery in clinics, but by taking pills. In addition to ending the lives of babies, abortion pills are dangerous for the mothers who take them. In 2021, the FDA made the abortion pill available even without an in-person doctor visit. This easier access to abortion pills also increases the chances of their being used by abusive partners or sex trafficking criminals against a woman’s will.
Several fact sheets provide background information on chemical abortion, safety protocols to protect the mother, and why the abortion lobby encourages in-home abortion, including by online mail-order.
We do not support Taxpayer-funded abortion. We do support the Hyde Amendment which protects taxpayer dollars from being used to end lives.
Prayer is the basis of all our efforts to build a culture of life. Say a short prayer or blessing. Meditate or ask God's intercession. Devote some time to pray a Holy Hour, or commit to a novena or Stations of the Cross. Prayer resources are provided to help Catholics pray for an end to abortion and the protection of all human life.
Prayers & Liturgical Resources
Browse our list of prayer resources including novenas, rosaries, Holy Hours, and blessings:
Rite of Blessing of a Child in the Womb
Additional prayers can be found usccb.org/pro-life-prayer.
Several articles are available covering a wide range of topics related to abortion. These articles serve as educational resources that can be used in parishes, schools, and ministries to share the truth about abortion and its devastating effects.
Browse our list of titles:
Fathers’ Irreplaceable Role in Welcoming Life, Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre
View all articles on respectlife.org/articles!
In October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. To support these annual observances, the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities provides materials to help Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it.
View all materials at respectlife.org/respect-life-month!
Word of Life is a monthly resource for dioceses and parishes. It is available in both English and Spanish.
Each month, you will find:
Feature of the Month
Intercessions for Life
Bulletin Quotes
Bulletin Art
Visit the Respect Life Store for prayer cards, posters, pamphlets, and flyers in English and Spanish! Materials cover a variety of Respect Life topics and provide practical tips, spiritual reflections, and other helpful information.
Project Rachel Ministry is a confidential 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
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When you sign up for Respect Life Prayer and Action, you will receive the following to help you protect the innocent against attacks on human life:
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