Last Friday, June 24, the long awaited Supreme Court decision in the case of Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was issued. By a 6–3 majority the Court upheld the legality of the limit of 14 weeks established by the State of Mississippi after which a pre-born baby is protected against abortion. In the same ruling, by a 5-4 majority, the famous Roe v. Wade decision issued in 1973 was overturned.

 

The recent decisions of the Supreme Court are both welcome and overdue. Since Roe v. Wade was decided, an estimated 63 million pre-born children have been aborted and so did not take their place among us. Whole generations have been affected by the absence of these our brothers and sisters.

 

For nearly 50 years, our country has somehow tolerated this grave injustice. Our national purpose, enshrined in our Declaration of Independence declared, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The ruling of the Supreme Court corrects the tragic 1973 decision that is simply at odds with the unalienable right to life.

 

Even more, our national laws on abortion, over the years, have been a major source of the ever increasing divisions and bitterness that divide our nation. Our politics are regularly deadlocked. Compromise is rarely sought and almost never found. And votes regarding abortion, both for and against, are some of the most intensely scrutinized and harshly criticized acts of our leaders, politicians and judges. 

 

In short, Roe v. Wade has left us struggling with our national conscience which is uneasy with the destruction of the innocent lives of the pre-born. And it has not made us happier as a people.

 

While Friday’s Supreme Court ruling puts an end to this dark moment in our nation’s history, it does not yet define a future which respects the right to life. The issue now returns to the states with local legislators empowered to formulate the nature and levels of protections for children in the womb. That process is likely to be long and drawn out, and most certainly in need of our Catholic witness and commitment to both mothers and to their babies in the womb. As Catholics we need to be prepared to bring our contribution based in faith.

 

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago highlighted this point in his statement about the recent Supreme Court decision. He noted, “The Catholic Church brings to such a conversation the conviction that every human life is sacred, that every person is made in the image and likeness of God and therefore deserving of reverence and protection. That belief is the reason the Catholic Church is the country’s largest provider of social services, many aimed at eliminating the systemic poverty and health care insecurity that trap families in a cycle of hopelessness and limit authentic choice.”

 

For us in Illinois, the struggle will be particularly difficult. Again, in the words of Cardinal Cupich, “Make no mistake, because this ruling regrettably will have little impact on abortion in Illinois, as there are virtually no restrictions here, we will continue to advocate strongly for legal protections for unborn children. And we will redouble our efforts to work with all to build a culture that values the inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.”

 

The Supreme Court decision was a good first step to righting a wrong that has gone on too long. It also requires us to be prepared for struggles to come in the battle to protect the pre-born. Our fidelity to our Catholic faith, accompanied by reason and charity will be crucial. But we must be both resolute and loving. This is the task and the hour to which we have been called to bring others to Christ. We must be convinced that the Lord will give us all the grace we need to meet this moment.