Fifty years ago today the United States was digesting rulings by the Supreme Court regarding two cases: Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. These decision at the time allowed abortions to be performed anytime during pregnancy for almost any "reason". It was from those decisions the March For Life came into being. And for the next five decades, this became an annual event, spawning other similar marches around the country and the world.
This year, however, the golden anniversaries of these two events have taken on a different meaning.
These cases were the cornerstones of the abortion rights movement. On June 24, 2022, that foundation was destroyed with the ruling in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The Supreme Court, by a 6-3 margin, overturned the decision of Roe as well as Planned Parenthood v. Casey and indirectly severely weakened the influence of Doe. It returned the right to create laws about this issue back to the people and their representatives at whatever level of governance. And after almost seven months, the issue has become even more contentious that it had in the past half-century.
Meanwhile, the various marches for life this year have become part victory celebration, part reminder the ultimate goal has not yet been attained, and part rejuvenation for the fights that are coming. With the vast majority of these events taking place the past two days, there was cause for "officially" rejoicing in the outcome of last summer. The hard work of countless people and organizations should be recognized and congratulated. And there should be a Deo Gratias for prayers answered favorably.
But, this is far, far, far from over. In fact, this battle in the culture war has just intensified. The abortion issue will still be the front line on the assault on the dignity and even the very essence of the human person we are experiencing today. Efforts to change hearts and minds must be redoubled.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis.
