Hey there,
Today is the 47th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the United States.
And the Catholic Church has designated it the “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.”
Since Roe v. Wade became the law in 1973, it’s estimated more than 61,000,000 innocent babies have lost their lives to abortion.
That’s more than 1,200,000 babies every year.
Or 108,000+ babies each month. And more than 116 every minute … 19+ every second.
19+ babies killed every second since 1973!
Thankfully, the statistics show the number of abortions each year is declining. But estimates still say that an abortion is performed in the United States every 30 seconds.
Pope Francis says protection of the unborn is “a preeminent priority.” That it goes beyond being a religious issue … it’s a human rights issue.
Opponents, including Catholics, have been tirelessly protesting abortion ever since legalization in 1973. But there’s clearly been more momentum in recent years. This is likely due to the changes in the makeup of the Supreme Court.
Some states like Alabama and Ohio are passing stringent laws restricting abortions, while others like New York and Rhode Island are protecting abortion with fewer restrictions, even allowing abortion up until birth.
Genuflect wrote about abortion this time last year. We focused on the personal aspects of the unborn child to provide resources and inspiration for those who may be facing an unwanted pregnancy … or know someone who is. If you’re interested, you’ll find it here.
This week’s Genuflect looks at the movement to abolish abortion: key arguments against abortion, what men can do, a new study about fetal pain, the Marian blue wave to end abortion, a knitting project for the unborn you can join, pro-life Saints and celebrities, and recent towns becoming sanctuary cities for the unborn.
Abortion is a volatile topic … on both sides. It’s important to maintain respect for each other despite our disagreements on abortion. And pray, pray, pray!
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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genuflect: resources
An Exhaustive Resource For Pro-life Arguments
Abortion is sure to be one of the leading topics addressed for the election later this year. While you can avoid discussions on social media, it may not be so easy in real life. This exhaustive list of key counter-points will equip you to successfully converse with your pro-choice friends and acquaintences. And all from a non-religious perspective.
What (Not) to Say to Your Pro-Choice Friends | Blessed is She
Answering The Back-Alley-Abortion Question
It’s one of the most common arguments against legalizing abortion. If abortions are not legal, women’s lives will be endangered due to unregulated abortions in back alleys. And they will die. But the fact is, data does not support this hypothesis. And here are two other reasons against this position.
Answering The Back-Alley-Abortion Objection | Catholic Answers
Study: Babies Feel Pain in The Womb
Science has declared the beginning of life earlier and earlier. And yet, what the baby in the womb experiences has not been given much consideration. This is about to change thanks to a new article published in the Journal of Medical Ethics titled “Reconsidering Foetal Pain.” It indicates that unborn children may be able to feel painful sensations as early as 13 weeks.
New Study Suggests Babies in Womb Feel Pain When Aborted Before 24 Weeks | Life Site News
Pray The Rosary to End Abortion
There is a blue wave taking over the globe. And its goal is “ending all clinical, chemical, medical and surgical abortion and shutting down every Planned Parenthood facility in the United States.” Add your commitment to say a rosary once a week to end abortion and be added to the map. Check out the map to see the blue wave to end abortion.
Marian Blue Wave Map | Marian Blue Wave
What Men Can do to End Abortion
Abortion is considered a “woman’s issue.” So where does that leave men? The fact is, men are affected by abortion. Half of the babies aborted are men. And men who are fathers lose a child in abortion. But there are things men can do to help end abortion.
What Men Can do to End Abortion | The Catholic Gentleman
Steps to Reconcile With The Church Following Abortion
Abortion is a serious sin that excommunicates one from the church. However, the church is eager to welcome you back. Unless you’ve been formally excommunicated, a priest can lift the excommunication through sacramental confession, reconciling you with the church.
If I Had an Abortion, What Are The Steps I’d Need to Take to Reconcile With The Church? | Busted Halo
Knit or Crochet For Unborn Babies
Here’s a way for all you knitters and crocheters out there to do what you love, while joining a collaborative effort to recognize the dignity of all the babies who were never born … the NeverBorns. Grab your needles and some pink or blue yarn and follow the instructions to create squares to be added to this giant blanket.
Blanket in Memory of Unborn Babies: A Collaborative Project You Can Join! | Aleteia
What if Pro-life Saints Join The March For Life?
What would pro-life Saints say to the March For Life marchers? We don’t have to imagine. See what some of them said when they walked amongst us. Hear from Saint John Paul II, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Saint Gianna Molla, and others!
What if Pro-life Saints Join The March For Life? | National Catholic Register
6 Celebrities Who Are Openly Pro-life
It’s not uncommon to see celebrities tweeting about a woman’s right to choose. But not everyone in Hollywood supports abortion. Some celebrities openly support the pro-life cause … here are six of them.
6 Celebrities Who Are Openly Pro-Life | BeliefNet
Pope Speaks to U.S. Bishops About Pro-life Issues
United States Bishops have been travelling in small groups to meet with Pope Francis for “ad limina” visits. Bishops from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska recently met with the Pope for two hours and the subject of abortions in the US came up. Pope Francis reiterated his position that abourtion is a preeminent issue. But he added, “this is not first a religious issue; it’s a human rights issue.”
Pope Speaks to U.S. Bishops About Pro-life Issues, Transgender Ideology | Catholic News Herald
Towns Become Sanctuary Cities For The Unborn
Some pro-lifers battle abortion at the federal level, looking for opportunities to overturn Roe v. Wade. But some towns are taking matters into their own hands by passing laws declaring they are sanctuary cities for the unborn … and outlawing abortions within city limits. 8 Texas towns have passed the law so far, with three more set to vote on it soon.
Banning Abortion, More Texas Towns Become ‘Sanctuary Cities For The Unborn’ | Fox News
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