Three years ago the U.S. Supreme Court handed down the ‘Dobbs’ ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade of 1973.
Newsroom(06/25/2025, Gaudium Press) Three years after the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that opened the door to abortions in the U.S. fell with the landmark Dobbs decision, the country’s Catholic bishops celebrated the anniversary as a great pro-life victory, but reminded the faithful that much remains to be done.
“Despite the good that the Dobbs decision achieved, the battle for life is far from over,” said Bishop Daniel Thomas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, in a statement released June 24.
“I urge all Catholics to dialogue with their elected representatives on all issues that threaten the gift of human life, particularly the threat of abortion,” he urged.
From 1973 until 2022, the Supreme Court recognized a supposed constitutional right to abortion, preventing states from passing pro-life laws. The reversal of Roe v. Wade now allows both states and the federal government to restrict or even ban abortion through legislation.
Bishop Thomas noted that the decision also “paved the way for pro-life victories at the national level,” noting that Congress is currently considering eliminating federal Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements to Planned Parenthood and “other organizations whose abortion business harms women and babies.”
As we celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025, Bishop Thomas called on Catholic parishes to continue to promote initiatives that “welcome, embrace and accompany women facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies” and to share “Christ’s message of mercy with all who suffer from the consequences of abortion.” He made special mention of the Walking with Moms in Need and Project Rachel programs.
The Challenges
In the three years since the Dobbs decision, 12 states have passed laws banning virtually all abortions, and 7 others have imposed restrictions limiting abortion at earlier stages of pregnancy than allowed by Roe.
In contrast, some states have relaxed their laws, and nearly a dozen have passed constitutional amendments establishing abortion as a legal right.
On the occasion of the anniversary, Senate and House Democrats held press conferences to reiterate their support for bills that would legalize abortion nationwide, thus eliminating state pro-life restrictions. Similar initiatives have previously failed due to Republican opposition.
With information from Aciprensa
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
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