Indiana Dioceses Release Statements on the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court Decision
Archdiocese of Indianapolis Statement on Dobbs Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade restores the ability of states to provide legal protection for unborn children, protection which the Catholic Church has advocated since abortion was legalized in 1973. We pray that Indiana’s General Assembly will move quickly to pass legislation to protect the God-given dignity and humanity of all unborn babies and their mothers in our state, and we support all efforts to legally protect human life from the moment of conception until natural death.
For decades, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has worked 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, many parishes throughout the Archdiocese also operate individual parish-based ministries to support pregnant women and women with young children.
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis 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. We urge all people who care about human life and the common good to prioritize the well-being of women, children, and families with both material resources and personal accompaniment so that no woman ever feels forced to choose between improving her circumstances and the life of her child.
Official Statement of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana regarding the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization presents a correction for understanding Constitutional process and the proper relation of government branches. The Dobbs decision and overturning Roe v. Wade tells us there is no federal constitutional right to abortion on demand. The states are now left to legislate for or against procuring abortion. Some have already done so. While the Supreme Court’s decision offers an important moment for us to bolster life protections for the unborn, it does not end the public debate. We now need to turn our attention to our Indiana state legislators to urge them to enact or preserve sustainable laws to protect the rights of the unborn.
The Catholic Church in the United States has been steadfast in its support for protections of human life from conception until natural death. We can be proud of our consistent teaching, but our local actions speak louder than words when we support care provided to families, mothers and children by various institutions and agencies. Among these are the Catholic sponsored health systems, St. Vincent de Paul sites, and community based outreaches such as Birthright or Women’s Care Centers.
Roe v. Wade’s effects have changed our culture and laws in more ways than we can fully comprehend. This took a long time, and now our personal attitudes and social structures will take time to adjust. People who are not used to voicing support for life and conversing with their state legislators should know that truth and charity go hand in hand. Our faith, patience, and steadfastness will support the Culture of Life, and we commit to doing so peacefully. Our Christian witness must be persistent and civil.
May we enter the upcoming conversations by praying to God fervently for the conversion of hearts, for prudent ways to promote human life in our laws and our personal choices, for active compassion for those who question their pregnancies, and for gratitude for the men and women whose Respect Life activities have carried all of us across the years.
Statement of the Diocese of Evansville
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization represents a historic, landmark moment in the ongoing effort to protect the sanctity of life from conception to natural death in our nation. The Catholic Church in America has been unwavering in our stand against abortion; and we, in Southern Indiana, should be particularly proud of how we have consistently stood against this troubling, literally fatal legal decision for almost five decades.
To be clear, the Dobbs decision and subsequent overturning of Roe v. Wade states that there is no constitutional right to abortion, and issues such as these should be decided by the people at the state level. It does not end abortion in this country as many suggest. Therefore, we should recognize this decision as one more step in our defense of human life. We now need to turn our attention to our state legislators to urge them to protect in law the rights of the unborn.
Our parishes and diocese also will redouble our efforts to provide outreach and assistance to women and families experiencing unexpected and crisis pregnancies. We will continue to help provide the resources they need before and after birth through programs like Walking with Moms in Need and Project Gabriel, and offering assistance through the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Charities. We also will continue to reach out with love, healing and reconciliation to those whose lives have been and will continue to be haunted by the effects of abortions, whether they were procured in facilities across state lines or through abortion pills received by mail. Along with our own efforts as Catholics, we will work with crisis-pregnancy centers and other pro-life organizations in our communities in advocating for life and serving the needs of women who are looking for assistance.
Let us all be instruments of peace as we work to promote a Culture of Life in our communities. As we work to provide legal protection for the unborn in Indiana and care for their mothers and families, we are also committed, through teaching, dialogue and witness, to help bring about a change of heart and mind that all might recognize the sanctity of and inherent right to life of all persons, from conception until natural death.
As we begin a new chapter in these efforts, let us first turn to God in prayer: in thanksgiving for this landmark Supreme Court decision and for all those who worked so tirelessly over the past 49 years to help make it happen; for continuing conversion of our hearts and those of our fellow citizens; and for the gifts of wisdom, courage and perseverance as we undertake our ongoing mission of being apostles of the Gospel of Life.
Statement from Bishop McClory, Diocese of Gary
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The ruling handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is a landmark decision, answering many prayers in the ongoing effort to protect the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. We are very encouraged by the decision, as it moves us forward in building a culture that respects and values all life.
This federal ruling recognizes that there is no constitutional right to abortion. This issue will now primarily be decided at the state level with ongoing federal action as well. Therefore, while we are grateful for this progress, we must remain steadfastly committed to cultivating communities that serve the needs of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable, those on the margins, and those facing extraordinary challenges.
The Catholic Church is the largest private provider of social services in the United States with a long history of serving those in need. Local religious communities, pregnancy care centers, and parish social justice ministries collaborate with other agencies to care for those in need. As missionary disciples of Christ, we bear witness in word and deed to the value of every human life. A special report being produced by the Northwest Indiana Catholic details the ways our local Church supports women and families in need. You can find the report and additional stories as they become available on the diocesan website (dcgary.org).
In collaboration with local service agencies, we provide women, couples, and families with resources to assist them when they are most vulnerable. We must put greater energy into advancing even more resources and alternatives to support women facing challenging pregnancies – both before and after birth.
In this ongoing work, we must remain a people of peace and love. We will encounter many people who have differing opinions regarding the practice of abortion. Let us keep our focus on the Lord and our mission as disciples of Christ. We can and must respond to adversity with a gentle spirit, while we remain committed to serving others, as Jesus taught us.
I am asking the faithful to use the momentum of this pivotal court decision to respond vigorously with prayer and action. As we continue to pray for change in our world, I encourage you to also ask, “What can I do to support women, couples and families facing challenging situations? What can I do to nurture a culture that respects and supports all life? How do my actions reflect the teachings of Christ, to ‘love one another as I have loved you?’”
We are thankful that the Constitution of the United States is no longer construed to give a right to take the life of an unborn human being. This is a milestone decision that brings great hope. Our challenge now is to re-double our efforts to serve our sisters and brothers in need at all stages of life.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Message to the Faithful of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend from Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades regarding U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson
Today is a historic day for our nation as the Supreme Court overturned the tragic Roe v. Wade decision which denied the child in the womb the right to life and led to the deaths of millions of unborn children in our nation. The gravely immoral and unjust decision in 1973 has finally been reversed, after so many years of prayer and sacrifices, advocacy and peaceful witness for the protection of the lives of the innocent unborn. I thank all the faithful of our diocese for your tireless pro-life efforts and prayers. Of course, our work for the protection of the unborn does not end with the Dobbs decision since now it will be up to states to determine their abortion laws. Here in Indiana, we will need to continue to advocate for laws to protect the lives of the unborn and to assist mothers in need.
I reaffirm our commitment to serving pregnant mothers with our love, compassion, and assistance. We will continue our many efforts to support women in unplanned or crisis pregnancies.
The sacredness of human life is a central tenet of our faith. We profess our reverence and love for every human life, from the moment of conception to natural death. We profess the inviolable dignity of every human person created in God’s image and likeness, including the most vulnerable among us: the unborn, the sick, the elderly, the disabled, the refugee, the poor, and those on death row. I pray that with the Dobbs decision we will see a new culture of life emerge in our country. A conversion of many minds and hearts is still needed to bring about a new culture of respect for human life. Our witness of love of neighbor and our service of those in need is essential in this regard. We are called, as Saint Paul wrote, to “overcome evil with good.” Jesus Himself teaches us in the parable of the last judgment that whatever we do the least of our brothers and sisters, we do to Him. He exhorts all of us to care for the most vulnerable among us. May we continue to do so through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that abound in our diocese! Thank you to all of you for your witness to Christ’s love and for your commitment to the Gospel of life!