Pro-life leaders this week celebrated the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
“Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America has been working very hard and very long to open up democracy in this country to allow the people to speak through their elected representatives and pass legislation that will protect the children of this country in the greatest human rights calls of our time,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said.
On June 24, 2022, the nation’s highest court repealed the monumental Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion across America and ruled 6-3 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. An early leak of a draft opinion indicating which way the judges would rule prompted nationwide protests and dozens of attacks and vandalism of pro-life organizations, centers and churches.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote that Roe and a subsequent case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which upheld Roe, both must be overturned, and that the right to allow, deny or restrict the right to an abortion must reside with states. The decision fundamentally changed the abortion landscape across the nation.
In the following months, nearly half of the nation in Republican-led states passed laws protecting life between conception and 12 weeks, and pregnancy centers and maternity homes supporting mother and child outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities 14 to one, according to the pro-life organization.
Kathleen Wilson, executive director of the faith-based pregnancy crisis center Mary’s Shelter in Fredricksburg, Va., said that in the aftermath of Roe, the organization doubled in locations after witnessing an uptick in calls from women seeking counseling during pregnancy. According to Wilson, the organization added three new homes for its resources in the last 12 months.
Dannenfelser quoted the words of Alice Paul’s words, the original author of the Equal Rights Amendment, saying abortion is “the ultimate exploitation of women.”
“So what I hope that we can come out of this conversation today and the week where we celebrate the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, the Dobbs decision, a new culture of life where we’re ushering in hope and positive choices and ending those cycles that are hurtful to women,” she said.
Missouri will hold several events commemorating the Dobbs decision.
On June 24 the Celebrate Life, Thanksgiving Prayer Service at the Missouri State Capitol 1st Floor Rotunda from10:30 -12:30. Religious Leaders will pray in Thanksgiving for the Dobbs decision, overturning Roe v. Wade. RSVP to MRL State Office by June 21: 573-635-5110.
On June 24 in Independence – MRL Western Region will host a ‘Post-Roe Prayer & Praise’ at 10 am at Waterfall Park Pavilion, 4501 Bass Pro Dr.
On June 23-25 in St. Charles, The Archdiocese of St. Louis Respect Life Apostolate is co-sponsoring the national Pro-Life Women’s Conference at the St. Charles Convention Center: educating, affirming, empowering, and activating women to build a Culture of Life in their community and beyond. Visit https://prolifewomen.com/ for more information and to register.
June 24 – Jefferson City – Celebrate Life, Thanksgiving Prayer Service. Missouri State Capitol 1st Floor Rotunda. 10:30 -12:30. Religious Leaders will pray in Thanksgiving for the Dobbs decision, overturning Roe v. Wade.
September 7 – St. Louis – Keep Missouri Pro-Life MRL Eastern Region banquet. 7:00 p.m. at the St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza. Featured Speaker: Jim Caviezel. ‘Champion of Life’ Award Recipient: Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke. Online registration opened June 15. Click here for more details.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
