Dear Parishioners:
Next Saturday, January 22nd, marks the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. The over 56 million abortions since the 1973 decision reflect with heartbreaking magnitude what Pope Francis means by a “throwaway culture.”
However, we have great trust in God’s providence. We are reminded time and again in Scripture to seek the Lord’s help, and as people of faith, we believe that our prayers are heard. So I urge you to take up prayer this week for the legal protection of the unborn and an end to abortion. Please consider signing up for the 9 Days for Life. It is a novena for the protection of human life and begins on January 19th. Each day’s prayer intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. You can sign up online by going to 9DaysForLIfe.com
Next Saturday, the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, is a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn. At OLM, we begin this sad day with Mass for the Unborn at 8:30 am, followed by a Holy Hour of Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. At 10:00 am we pray a Rosary for Life and receive Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Please take the time to join us in prayer for the protection of the unborn. As we mark this sad anniversary with prayer, thousands will march for life in Washington, DC. They will be praying for the Supreme Court to overturn the Roe v. Wade Decision. Then some states can begin to outlaw the evil of abortion.
Tragically in 2019, the R.I. General Assembly, enthusiastically supported by Representatives and Senators from East Greenwich, North Kingstown, and Warwick, passed legislation that enshrined the Roe v. Wade Decision in R.I. Law. As a result, in Rhode Island, innocent unborn children can now be killed by abortion up until the time of birth.
Apparently, this evil is not enough for the purveyors of abortion at Planned Parenthood and their enthusiastic allies at the Assembly. Last week, the supporters of abortion introduced legislation in the R.I. General Assembly requiring Rhode Islanders to pay for abortion with tax dollars.
The Catholic Church firmly believes in the dignity of human life from natural conception to natural death, including that of all unborn children. This bill would be a step in the wrong direction to protecting unborn children and their mothers from the violence of abortion.
Saint Pope John Paul II teaches that “a society lacks solid foundations when, on the one hand, it asserts values such as the dignity of the person, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to the contrary by allowing or tolerating a variety of ways in which human life is devalued and violated, especially where it is weak or marginalized.”
Those who advocate for abortion often suggest that it is cheaper to abort the children born into poverty than care for them after birth. Yet, as a caring and compassionate society, we must provide the necessities to sustain life—adequate housing, nutrition, clothing, education, employment, healthcare, prenatal care, and childcare for “those who are in the shadows of life.” For women who live in poverty, abortion is a desperate act, not an act of choice.
We celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this weekend and recall his heroic work for racial justice and equality for African Americans. And while there have been great advancements in civil rights, we continue to pray for an end to all racism, hatred, and injustice. Dr. King said: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
His prophetic words should call us to prayer and action to end the intrinsic evils of abortion and racism. For the two are often connected. Margaret Sanger, who founded Planned Parenthood, is now disavowed for “her racist legacy” and her “connections to the eugenics movement.” She once wrote, “The most merciful thing that the large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it.”
Sadly, such macabre ideas are alive and well in our world, our nation, and at our State House. So pray for life, contact your elected officials, and tell them to oppose the public financing of abortion. Join us next Saturday as we pray for the legal protection of the unborn.
Be well. Do good. God Bless. God protect the unborn!