Catholic and Pro-Life

September 9, 2022
Author: Hannah DeVivo

Peace be with you!

On June 24th, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, a decision that had made access to abortion a federal right. This brought up a considerable number of feelings and much discussion between Christians and non-Christians alike, so today I would like to talk about what it means to be Catholic and pro-life.

Bible Passages that Give Dignity to the Unborn Child in the Womb

What can we learn from the Scripture about an unborn baby in their mother’s womb? As I mentioned in the blog post about Saint John the Baptist: “Among the many things that the life of Saint John the Baptist teaches us, a particularly important one is the humanity and value of life even at this early stage. The pre-born child felt the presence of his Savior and rejoiced in Him.” I am referring to the passage in Luke when Mary, after learning of her own pregnancy, travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist: Now at this time Mary set out and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy” Luke 1:39-44).

When considering God’s view of the unborn child, another well-known passage comes to mind, from the book of the prophet Jeremiah. The Lord called him, saying “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). We can see here that God has always known us. We were formed and designed long before we took our first breath. God doesn’t say that our life began when we were delivered from our mother’s womb, but rather, from the earliest stage of our development.

What Does It Mean To Be Pro-Life?

I have often reflected on what it means to be pro-life, and have come to believe that it is far more encompassing than many might think. Jesus left us with the great commandment to love one another as He loves us. He did not take time to pick and choose who to love—He simply said to love one another. So, what is love? I heard in a homily once that “love is willing the good of another.” This means that the loving thing to do is always with the other person’s best interest in mind. I believe this is at the heart of the pro-life mission. We are called to will the good of every unborn child, their mothers, fathers, and all who are connected to them. This love can take the form of rallying against laws that allow the pre-born to be killed. It can take the form of praying outside of abortion clinics and spreading information to those who believe that abortion is their only choice. It also takes the form of a shoulder to cry on, a lifeline of support, a financial contribution, and arms of acceptance and forgiveness to those who may have already aborted their child and are now filled with regret.

For me, the pro-life mission is not political. It has never fueled me to demean or act with hatred towards someone who doesn’t agree with me. Being pro-life does not mean that I care only about the child inside the mother and cease to care when that child is born. It also does not mean that the only lives I care about are those who are unborn. Being pro-life means that we believe in the rights and dignity of each human being from conception to natural death. Regarding the overturning of Roe v Wade, I am overjoyed at the number of lives saved and yet I know that there is still much work to be done in way of support for those who felt/feel that an abortion is necessary. I pray for and look forward to a day when the obstacles that drive a mother to such a level of desperation are eliminated.

Speaking the Truth in Love

The topic of abortion brings pain to many. It is of the utmost importance that we mirror Christ’s love, patience, and kindness towards all. If we encounter someone who is pro-choice, we are called to treat them with the same respect, dignity, and love that we have for the unborn child. None of us is completely aware of the trials or tribulations that another has undergone. We cannot pretend to know every intimate detail of another’s life, nor what events have led them to believe as they do.

The pro-life movement continues, and I believe it always will in some way. We should never stop willing the good of those around us and fighting for those whose rights are threatened. As you go about your days and continue the good fight, remember what is at the heart of your mission. Above all, remember to love one another as Jesus loves you.

Before You Go

How do you feel called to show up in the pro-life movement?

Do you ever feel confused or unsure about where the Church stands on the right to life?

Did you learn anything new in this article?

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