"You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." - Psalm 139:13

In God’s eyes, all human life is sacred. God has a plan for every person – every mother, and every pre-born child. Because life begins at conception, not birth, abortion is not the answer to an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. For those who are thinking about having an abortion, the Church encourages them to consider other alternatives. For those who have had or have participated in an abortion, the Church wants them to know that God loves them, and that He freely offers mercy and helaing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Church is grateful that the Supreme Court has undone the grave injustice of 1973, when Roe v. Wade decided that a whole class of human beings, the preborn, are outside the protection of the law. States now once again can protect the lives of preborn children, and in doing so, also protect millions of women from the tragic consequences of abortion.

Of course, legal protection must be accompanied by more care for mothers and their children. The Church is redoubling efforts to accompany women and couples who are facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies, offering them loving and compassionate care. Through the years, the Church in the United States has developed many ministries to serve expectant mothers who face difficult pregnancies and those who find it difficult to care for their children after they are born. Over 150,000 low-income women deliver their babies at Catholic hospitals each year. Church ministries like Catholic Charities serve women and their children long after they are born, offering comprehensive social services to those in need. Another Church ministry are the Sisters of Life. They are a growing religious community of women who, by their way of life, bear witness to the beauty and dignity of every human life. The Sisters welcome pregnant women into their homes and provide life-changing material and spiritual resources to women in crisis. Another ministry, Project Rachel, offers confidential, compassionate help to women and men after an abortion. The Church will never cease to do what she has always done - to pray, work, and serve until the day when every human life is protected in law, and welcomed in love. Until that day comes, and ever after, she will continue to care for women and children in need, so that every mother has the support to joyfully choose life. The information below is intended to provide education on this issue, as well as tangible assistance for those in need.