Bishop James Wall has released a statement following the news that the Supreme Court has struck down Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide for 50 years.
“June 24, 2022
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Today is a historic day in the history of our country. The Supreme Court of the United States has correctly ruled in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, which will in effect save countless babies in the wombs. We have been praying for this wonderful news for a long time, and today our prayers have been answered. Praise God!
“Saint Paul reminds us “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” Gal. 5:22-23. As Catholics, may the fruit of the Holy Spirt be evident in our lives, especially when engaging those who hold a belief contrary to the Gospel of Life.
“Today is also the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope Saint John Paul II said “In the Sacred Heart every treasure of wisdom and knowledge is hidden. In that Divine Heart beats God’s infinite love for everyone, for each one of us individually”. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a beautiful expression of Jesus’ love for all life – born and unborn. As people of faith, let us pray for expectant mothers and their children. May the Heart of Jesus move us toward greater acts of charity toward pregnant mothers, especially those who find themselves in difficult situations. Also, remember to pray for the conversion of hearts to the truth that all life is sacred.
“Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like yours. Amen.
“Sincerely yours in Christ,
“+James S. Wall
Bishop of Gallup”
Bishop Wall’s statement joins one from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which celebrates the ruling while also noting the need to “begin the work of building a post-Roe America.”
“WASHINGTON – In response to the Supreme Court of the United States issuing its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following statement:
“This is a historic day in the life of our country, one that stirs our thoughts, emotions and prayers. For nearly fifty years, America has enforced an unjust law that has permitted some to decide whether others can live or die; this policy has resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of preborn children, generations that were denied the right to even be born.
“America was founded on the truth that all men and women are created equal, with God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This truth was grievously denied by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized and normalized the taking of innocent human life. We thank God today that the Court has now overturned this decision. We pray that our elected officials will now enact laws and policies that promote and protect the most vulnerable among us.
“Our first thoughts are with the little ones whose lives have been taken since 1973. We mourn their loss, and we entrust their souls to God, who loved them from before all ages and who will love them for all eternity. Our hearts are also with every woman and man who has suffered grievously from abortion; we pray for their healing, and we pledge our continued compassion and support. As a Church, we need to serve those who face difficult pregnancies and surround them with love.
“Today’s decision is also the fruit of the prayers, sacrifices, and advocacy of countless ordinary Americans from every walk of life. Over these long years, millions of our fellow citizens have worked together peacefully to educate and persuade their neighbors about the injustice of abortion, to offer care and counseling to women, and to work for alternatives to abortion, including adoption, foster care, and public policies that truly support families. We share their joy today and we are grateful to them. Their work for the cause of life reflects all that is good in our democracy, and the pro-life movement deserves to be numbered among the great movements for social change and civil rights in our nation’s history.
“Now is the time to begin the work of building a post-Roe America. It is a time for healing wounds and repairing social divisions; it is a time for reasoned reflection and civil dialogue, and for coming together to build a society and economy that supports marriages and families, and where every woman has the support and resources she needs to bring her child into this world in love.
“As religious leaders, we pledge ourselves to continue our service to God’s great plan of love for the human person, and to work with our fellow citizens to fulfill America’s promise to guarantee the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people.”