Pray for the Protection of the Unborn in Iowa
As Christians we are called to work for the protection of the dignity of every human life, especially the poor and most vulnerable, from the moment of conception (as that is when human life begins) to natural death, and everything in between.
This, of course, does not mean that we only care for unborn babies and don’t care for women. On the contrary, it is caring for both child and mother. That means we also are to work towards means of supporting mothers. And we have such places even in our Archdiocese such as: “Guiding Star – Cedar Valley” in Cedar Falls, www.guidingstarcedarvalley.org; and “Mary’s Inn Maternity Home” in Dubuque, www.marysinnmaternityhome.org/about.
Regarding the protection of the unborn you may have heard in the news that the Iowa Legislature has been discussing this very issue.
In a special session on July 11, the Iowa Legislature passed House File 732; a bill to prohibit abortions after a heartbeat can be detected. The vote was 56-34 in the House and 32-17 in the Senate. The governor said she would sign the bill on Friday. Opponents have filed a lawsuit in an attempt to keep the law from taking effect.
The Catholic bishops of Iowa issued the following joint statement on July 13, 2023:
“We commend the Iowa Legislature for passing a law that would prohibit abortions after a child’s cardiac activity can be detected. As Pope Francis has said, “Let us respect and love human life, especially vulnerable life in a mother’s womb.” For us, this is a matter of personal rights and dignity and the common good. Human life is precious and should be protected in our laws to the greatest extent possible.
As a state and as a society, we should commit ourselves to working for the protection of all vulnerable populations from violence – wherever individuals and groups are at risk. We urge people of good will in Iowa both to work for an end to the practice of abortion and to join us in tireless, unremitting and compassionate solidarity with pregnant women in distress, with the men who fathered these children, and with families in need.
Most Rev. Richard Pates – Apostolic Administrator of Dubuque
Most Rev. R. Walker Nickless – Bishop of Sioux City
Most Rev. Thomas Zinkula – Bishop of Davenport
Most Rev. William Joensen – Bishop of Des Moines
Peace,
– Fr. Kevin
