The U.S. Catholic bishops have reaffirmed their commitment to fighting abortion, calling it the “pre-eminent priority” for Catholic voters and a fundamental issue of justice. As part of their 9 Days for Life campaign, the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities emphasized that protecting human life is the first duty of law, declaring abortion a direct attack on life that destroys over a million lives annually in the United States.
The bishops highlighted the Declaration of Independence’s affirmation of the right to life as an inalienable gift from the Creator. They lamented that despite the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many states still fail to recognize unborn children as persons and continue to promote abortion as a so-called right. Political leaders who advocate for increased access to abortion under the guise of health care are violating the virtue of justice, the bishops stated.
Referencing Pope John Paul II, the prelates argued that true democracy cannot exist without respect for the dignity and rights of every person, including the unborn. They noted that laws permitting or promoting abortion undermine justice and threaten the most vulnerable members of society.
To counter these injustices, the bishops designated January 22nd, the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, as an annual day of prayer and penance. Catholics across the country are encouraged to join in prayer for the protection of life and repentance for the nation’s abortion practices.
Global statistics further underscore the gravity of abortion, with 45.1 million unborn children killed in 2024, making it the leading cause of death worldwide. By comparison, 8.2 million died from cancer, 5 million from smoking, 1.7 million from HIV/AIDS, and 1.1 million from suicide.
The bishops’ message urges Catholics to prioritize the defense of life in their voting decisions and advocacy, reaffirming the Church’s unwavering commitment to protect life from conception.
