The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade on the merits of unconstitutionality. Since the draft Court opinion leaked in May, we have clung to hope — the hope of innocent lives being spared. Now we breathe a sigh of thanks. So many have prayed, counseled, and fasted for God’s will for almost 50 years. Still, any victory can be only shallow due to the millions of innocent deaths over the past decades. 

 

Roe and its companion case, Doe v. Bolton, together legalized abortion through pregnancy’s nine months. What will the post-Roe landscape be? 

 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops state in a Roe backgrounder: 

 

“Before Roe, all states permitted abortion if necessary to save the mother’s life, and some permitted abortion in additional circumstances. But Roe deemed any prohibition on abortion as unconstitutional. If Roe is overturned, policy decisions about abortion will be made by the citizens of each state through the democratic process, rather than by the courts. Some states will place limits on abortion, in others there will likely be few limits. Not until Roe v. Wade is reversed will the people again be able to govern themselves on the important public policy issue of abortion.” 

 

As with most policy issues, abortion is rooted in fundamental questions. Does life begin at fertilization?

 

When a woman is pregnant, do she and her fetus constitute one body — her body — or two bodies?

 

What is a person? Is a fetus a person, a child? Do the rights of a mother outweigh the rights of a child?

 

Should society protect the most vulnerable lives? What if that life is non-viable, no matter its age? Does each state have political rights and responsibilities that the federal government cannot interfere with?

 

What happens when neighboring states have opposing laws? Does abortion cause trauma to the mother, father, and others in the baby’s life? Does a trauma-filled conception, such as rape or incest, justify the trauma of aborting a child? How should we protect minors who may not understand the life-long impact of a medical decision like abortion and who are no longer required to get parental notification of that medical decision? What does how we treat the pre-born say about how we treat the elderly, the terminally ill, and other vulnerable people? These questions demand a well-formed conscience and a consideration of what our faith teaches. 

 

We will stand for or against abortion as we govern ourselves through the choice of our state representatives and our support of or opposition to state legislation. During these past years, in a sense, we have had it easier. Now we are called to bring our faith, consciences, and intellect to bear in a deeper way in the public square. 

 

This means, especially for pro-life warriors, that we need to recharge our energy and passion. The fight for life will be harder, especially in Illinois due to our legislature’s makeup. We also need to stay plugged in to the federal level because of potential executive and regulatory pro-choice actions. 

 

The Supreme Court’s decision challenges each of us, no matter where we fell previously on the pro-life spectrum, to engage in the political responsibility that comes with citizenship. As Catholics, we are being called even more to “faithful citizenship.” The U.S. bishops’ document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” may assist us in examining and acting upon this responsibility (available in English and Spanish: https://www.usccb.org/resources/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship-pdf). 

 

It is past time for all Catholics to step up to the public square home plate. How will you engage in this challenge of being a faithful citizen?