Dear Parishioners,

A few weeks ago, lawmakers in Texas made abortion effectively illegal by banning it before the 6th week of life, which is usually before women realize they are pregnant. As a Catholic, I am overall very happy to see steps being taken to restrict abortion. While we cannot take abortion as the only issue, it is still an incredibly important issue because if we cannot treat all people with dignity and the rights granted to all others, we cannot have a just society. To allow the legal murder of individuals, no matter who they are, is fundamentally unjust and destabilizes all of society.

With the passing of this law, many people who thought of abortion as being a part of life and something unshakable will react to such laws being made. This is especially true if other states follow Texas’s lead and if the Supreme Court finds these laws constitutional, challenge Roe v Wade. However, this also means that there will be new opportunities to share with people why abortion is morally wrong. As people who care about the unborn, we need to know as much about the subject as possible and be willing to share it with others, especially if they disagree. Have pictures ready of children in the womb at six weeks and later. Be ready to show videos of the violence of an abortion procedure. Look at groups of women that now regret ever having made the decision to abort their children. However, whatever you do, please do it with compassion. You can be completely right about a subject but be completely wrong with how you share it with others. It is important to be kind, patient and listen to people. No amount of forcing will make people hear the truth. They have to want to hear it.

Many pro-choice advocates will say that pro-life people do not care about women or other people. The only good answer to that, is to be involved with good works for others. Give to charities, like the Catholic Relief Services and even volunteer to help others. There’s even a great thrift store in Neptune dedicated to help mothers in crisis pregnancies named Madonna House. It is a great charity for anyone who wants to be involved in pro-life work.

Lastly, if you are someone who has had an abortion, please remember that the mercy and forgiveness of God if always available in confession. If you know someone who needs to hear that, please let them know that as well. We cannot change the past, but we can change our futures. We have a Father in heaven who loves us and wants us all to come home.

God bless!

Fr. Carter