“I am grateful for the Supreme Court’s decision that upholds the gift of life given to us by God. The Church’s commitment to protect human life from conception until natural death remains steadfast. I hope this ruling is met with genuine respect for one another and care for the common good,” says the Most Reverend Joe Vásquez, Bishop of Austin.
While this decision places the issue of whether to permit elective abortions before each state legislature and does not prohibit abortion across the country, it is a major step in helping to save lives by protecting children in the womb.
The Church continues to pray for and publicly support decisions like this and will continue to advocate with state legislatures to protect our nation’s most vulnerable – unborn children and the mothers who are carrying a child in their wombs. We remain committed and will not waiver in accompanying mothers who face unplanned pregnancies.
There are many organizations and resources available to mothers and fathers including:
• The St. Gabriel Pregnancy and Parenting Program
• Project Rachel – Post Abortion Healing
• St. John Paul II Life Center – Catholic Pregnancy Center
• Annunciation Maternity Home – Shelter for young women in crisis pregnancy
• Our Lady of the Angels Shelter - Shelter for young women in crisis pregnancy
About the Diocese of Austin
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin includes 127 parishes, or faith communities, in 25 counties in Central Texas. Bishop Joe S. Vásquez leads the diocese, which stretches over 21,000 square miles. More than 700,000 Catholics live in the diocese.