On Friday, June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States announced its ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case. Today’s action by the Court overturns Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion in the United States.
Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court case from January 22, 1973, legalized abortion nationwide. With the undoing of Roe, the legality of abortion is now up to each state.
Read Bishop Walkowiak’s statement:
The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ Office of Communications issues the following statement from Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:
“The United States Supreme Court’s decision moves America one step closer to protecting human life from its earliest stages of existence. The Catholic Church remains committed to helping women and couples who are facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies. For every pregnant woman who may be unsure of what is next, the Catholic Church is here. We will continue to accompany and care for women in need of emotional, spiritual, or physical support and their child(ren), born and unborn. Support is available through Catholic Churches as well as other local organizations.”
La Oficina de Comunicaciones de la Diócesis de Grand Rapids emite la siguiente declaración del Reverendísimo David J. Walkowiak, obispo de Grand Rapids, en relación con la decisión de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos en el caso Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:
“La decisión de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos hace que América esté un paso más cerca de proteger la vida humana desde sus primeras etapas de existencia. La Iglesia Católica sigue comprometida a ayudar a las mujeres y parejas que se enfrentan a embarazos inesperados o difíciles. Para todas las mujeres embarazadas que no estén seguras de lo que les espera, la Iglesia Católica está aquí. Seguiremos acompañando y cuidando a las mujeres que necesiten apoyo emocional, espiritual o físico y a sus hijos, nacidos o por nacer. Hay apoyo disponible a través de las Iglesias Católicas así como de otras organizaciones locales”.
Contact-Contacto:
Annalise Laumeyer, director of communications
alaumeyer@grdiocese.org | 616-551-5629
Read the statement from the Catholic bishops of Michigan issued by Michigan Catholic Conference:
(Lansing, Mich.) — Following today’s momentous and historic ruling from the Supreme Court of the United States in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision — which to this day has resulted in the tragic loss of some 63 million unborn children nationally and more than 1.5 million children in Michigan — the eleven Catholic bishops in Michigan have released a statement that expresses joy with the Court’s majority opinion while reaffirming the Catholic Church’s compassion and support for mothers in need.
“Nearly fifty years after the unjust decision in Roe v. Wade, our country draws closer to a society that recognizes the God-given right of life for all persons, at any stage or in any condition. While today’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturns Roe is a cause for joy, we must remember that life is and always will be a gift from our Creator; it cannot be given or taken by governmental structures, judges, or elected officials.
We are saddened by the fear and anger that has reverberated across our land since a draft of this opinion was leaked to the public. In light of these concerns, we wish to make clear that no woman should face pregnancy alone. With safe-delivery laws, adoption, pregnancy resource centers, and assistance from Catholic and other agencies that provide necessities for mom and baby, every pregnant woman should know there is a community of compassion and support waiting to help her and her unborn or infant child. We empathize with women who struggle with daily challenges that may affect their decision to carry their baby to term: financial insecurity, food insecurity, medical care, lack of relationship and/or family support, coercion, and homelessness, just to name a few.
The pro-life movement must redouble its efforts to ensure every woman has the support she needs throughout her pregnancy and beyond, whether she chooses to parent or create an adoption plan. We affirm that the Church must prioritize this work, through our Catholic Charities and parish-based support networks, to meet the physical needs of mothers and children as well as offer the emotional support and love new mothers need. We also implore men to be respectful of women and responsible when they father a child. We are all called to walk with moms in need, and we encourage all Michiganders to join us in this effort.
Today’s momentous decision would not have occurred without fifty years of prayer, action and witness from innumerable women and men who promote the sanctity of human life. These people of goodwill laid the foundation for a future of love, compassion, and support toward women and their unborn or newborn children. Though Roe is no longer relevant to abortion policy, we must remain vigilant against future attempts to promote abortion as help for women, which in reality are attacks on human life itself. Some of those attacks have already started here in Michigan through the legislative process, at the ballot box and in the court room, signaling that the work to build up a social order that respects human life is not finished.
Let us, as the Body of Christ here on Earth, pray for all pregnant women and continue to proclaim that human life is sacred from conception to natural death and at every point in between, and to commit ourselves to building a society grounded in that essential God-given right.”
Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit
Most Rev. Earl A. Boyea, Bishop of Lansing
Most Rev. Paul J. Bradley, Bishop of Kalamazoo
Most Rev. John F. Doerfler, Bishop of Marquette
Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss, Bishop of Saginaw
Most Rev. David J. Walkowiak, Bishop of Grand Rapids
Most Rev. Jeffrey J. Walsh, Bishop of Gaylord
Most Rev. Gerard W. Battersby, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
Most Rev. Arturo Cepeda, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
Most Rev. Robert J. Fisher, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
Most Rev. Donald F. Hanchon, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
Read the USCCB statement on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson
As ever, the Church stands ready to assist and support mothers and families facing unexpected or challenging pregnancies and to increase awareness of the resources available to mothers and families in need.
Local resources-Recursos locales:
Catholic Charities West Michigan-Caridades Católicas del Oeste de Michigan: Pregnancy Support Services | Resources and support for moms and families
Pregnancy Support-Ayuda para el Embarazo: HELP Pregnancy Aid | Pregnancy Resource Center – Grand Rapids | Alpha Grand Rapids
Baby and Toddler Pantries-Despensas para bebés y niños pequeños: Catholic Charities West Michigan | The Baby Pantry of Lowell
St. Mary Parish, Spring Lake-Parroquia de Santa María, Spring Lake: Medical/dental-Pregnancy Support-Food and Clothing-Housing
Infertility Support & Education-Apoyo y Educación sobre Infertilidad: Franciscan Life Process Center
Healing after abortion-Sanación después del aborto: Project Rachel
