Bishops’ Statements on Indiana Special Session Legislation

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, Archdiocese of Indianapolis

With Senate Enrolled Act 1 passed and signed into law by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, we remain steadfast in our efforts to build a culture of life and to protect the God-given dignity and humanity of all unborn babies and their mothers in our state. Our faith calls us to be voices for the voiceless, and we will continue to support all efforts to legally protect human life from the moment of conception until natural death.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis will continue to work diligently to provide material and emotional support to women and families facing unplanned or difficult pregnancies across central and southern Indiana through its ministries such as Birthline, St. Elizabeth/Coleman Pregnancy & Adoption Services, Adoption Bridges of Kentuckiana, Lifeline for Families, Holy Family Shelter, Bethany House and Project Rachel, which offers Christ-like compassion and hope to women and men after an abortion. In addition to these archdiocesan ministries, we know many of our parishes will continue operating individual parish-based ministries to support pregnant women and women with young children. 

Our Church remains vigilant in its efforts to do all that it can to provide loving support to women before and after the birth of their babies regardless of creed, ethnicity or language, so that no woman ever feels alone.

Bishop Robert J. McClory, Diocese of Gary

“Indiana has taken a solid step forward in recognizing the value of life as it begins in the womb and to support mothers and families. More work remains on the horizon,” said Bishop Robert J. McClory, Diocese of Gary. “I encourage us all to remain vigilant in our efforts to ‘love them both.’ In our communities, we will continue to collaborate with local service agencies, to provide women and families with resources to assist them when they are most vulnerable – both before and after birth. As we endeavor to love and serve one another, I encourage us to keep asking, ‘What can I do to nurture a culture that respects and supports all life?’ and ‘How do my actions reflect the teachings of Christ, to ‘love one another as I have loved you?’”