WASHINGTON — Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., was a seminarian when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision legalizing abortion on demand, but the impact of the news remains fresh in his mind.
"I felt very passionate about protecting the dignity of all human life and was saddened and mystified by the court’s decision," recalled Archbishop Naumann, who had already been active in the civil-rights movement and later emerged as a leading pro-life advocate in his archdiocese.
As the nation prepares to mark the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Catholic pro-life leaders across the nation considered how the 1973 decision spurred their own activism, while also shaping the identity and mission of the Catholic Church in the United States.
By the early 1970s, grassroots efforts to overturn liberal abortion laws in states like New York and California had begun in earnest.
Yet few anticipated that pro-life advocacy would become their life’s work and ultimately forge a robust ecumenical alliance of Catholic and Protestant churches joined to defend the unborn.
When the high court handed down its decision, it stunned Michael Taylor, now the executive director of the Washington-based National Committee for a Human Life Amendment. At the time, Taylor was directing the National Right to Life Committee, temporarily housed at the bishops’ conference before it became an independent, non-sectarian organization.
"The issue was not national in 1972, and my job was to work with right-to-life groups across the country," Taylor recalled during an interview with the Register. "It was a different world in those days: There was more anti-Catholicism. The Church was urging the development of right-to-life groups, but the word ‘pro-life’ didn’t exist."
Four states had already approved liberal abortion laws, and a larger number allowed abortion in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. Taylor knew the high court would soon hand down a decision in the Roe case. But he was buoyed by the fact that no new abortion laws had passed since 1970, and so hoped that the issue might be losing momentum.
Supreme Shock
Then, on Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court’s ruling was announced. Taylor rushed to the court to obtain a copy of the decision and immediately realized it was a "game changer."
"We thought they would be more moderate. Instead, it was far more extreme than any other law in existence," he said. "It made the issue national. They had taken the other side’s case completely. Every problem we have had since Roe is because the court seized control of the issue."
Just before the ruling, Taylor had thought he could take a break and return to graduate school. Instead, he became even more involved in organizing right-to-life committees across the country — though he did eventually go back to school.
Today, Taylor believes that the high court’s decision led Church leaders, along with pro-life advocates of every denomination, to become more engaged in public-policy debates on social issues. And those early days of the pro-life movement have given him a more nuanced view of two emerging movements to uphold traditional marriage and religious freedom.
"The pro-life movement didn’t happen overnight. People [who are now pro-life] have told me, ‘I spent a whole year working on the [abortion] issue, and I have changed my mind.’ Over 40 years, Americans have been educated, and they have educated themselves. In contrast, the marriage issue is new stuff, comparatively."
Phyllis Schlafly, for her part, was "absorbed with the ERA [Equal Rights Amendment]" when the Roe decision was announced.
Yet, just a few years earlier, she and her husband, Fred, had helped to block an effort to legalize abortion in Illinois.
After Roe made abortion on demand the law of the land, however, Schlafly soon perceived that some feminist activists believed the ERA would help secure access to abortion.
"Feminist leaders who supported the ERA" wanted to use it to obtain federal funding of abortion, Schlafly stated during a telephone interview.
"Their argument was that if abortion is only for women, and you deny funding of abortion, you are discriminating against women," she said.
From her perch directing a national political movement opposing the ERA, Schlafly also witnessed some initial friction between Catholics and Protestant opponents of abortion rights. "The Catholic bishops took up the fight right away. They were out front on abortion. The result was that Protestants didn’t come aboard right away. Around 1973-75, there was still a lot of standoffishness. But, by ’77, the Protestants came aboard and have been prominent ever since," she said.
San Francisco Perspective
In San Francisco, Mary Ann Schwab viewed the court’s decision with equal dismay.
"I knew we had to counter it," said Schwab, the former respect-life coordinator for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
But the ruling didn’t entirely surprise Schwab, now in her 80s, who presently serves as the volunteer coordinator for the archdiocese’s Project Rachel.
"As I thought about the development of humanism and secularism in our country, beginning in the early 1900s, I saw which way the culture was going. As long as that trend continued, it would continue to foster acceptance of abortion," she said.
Schwab also observed the divisive impact of abortion politics among local Catholics: "The Church was divided, as you know. There was a tug of war, and it was hard to get into some parishes" in San Francisco, the national epicenter of the counterculture movement that ignited in the 1960s.
Forty years after Roe, Schwab has seen a steady shift in perspective among younger Catholics, who increasingly embrace Church teaching on life issues.
"Back then, one thing that initially stopped the progress of the pro-life movement was that so many young women were ensnared by the abortion mentality and had abortions themselves," suggested Schwab, a trained social worker.
"Even today, some pastors are torn by pastoral concerns and still don’t want to talk about abortion," she said.
She expressed relief that more women now feel free to acknowledge their struggles with post-abortion syndrome and that a new generation of Catholics is taking a leadership role in the pro-life movement.
"The young women under 30 who have been formed in Catholic colleges [and in their families] that support Church teaching give me hope," said Schwab.
Mother Teresa’s Witness
But back in the 1970s, when many Americans were just coming to grips with the reality of abortion on demand, it was tough to get the pro-life message out in the public square.
Archbishop Naumann recalled the powerful charism of Mother Teresa, who routinely spoke out against abortion, whether she was invited to testify before Congress or give an address at Harvard University.
"Mother Teresa took a heroic stand on the sanctity of human life. She inspired many with the beauty of her consistent concern for human life at all stages. She helped us see that the poorest among us were in the womb," said Archbishop Naumann, a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
After abortion was legalized across the nation, then-Father Naumann soon discovered that his fellow activists in the civil-rights movement did not always share his passion for defending the right to life of the unborn. "What shocked me was that they had a blind spot regarding the unborn," he said.
The decision of many bishops, priests and laity to embrace the defense of the unborn as the central moral issue of the time would have broad repercussions for the Church’s role in the public square.
"We took a stand against the prevailing culture. It lost us some allies and created divisions, but it was necessary to defend the truth," said the archbishop. "And God brought forth from the evil of legal abortion the collaboration of people across denominational lines and faith traditions."
Catholic Leadership
George Weigel, the papal biographer, was a senior in college when the high court’s ruling on legal abortion was announced, and he still celebrates the Church’s stand.
"The U.S. bishops, with evangelical allies, put down the first set of markers that told the political culture that this issue was not going away — and that Roe v. Wade, far from settling anything (or ending the abortion debate, as The New York Times insisted it had), had only intensified the argument," said Weigel.
"None of us could have foreseen, in those days, that the right-to-life issue would become the cultural marker of serious Catholicism in America or that it would give birth to a whole new ecumenism with evangelical Protestants," added Weigel.
"Yet both have happened, and both are great graces, even amidst the unending sorrow of the abortion license and what it has done to children, women, families, men and American public life."
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Thank you for an insightful and overviewing article. As the timing of God’s Providence always amazes me, I am locally distributing literally cases of books. It’s a book I have read and now consider the most important book I’ve read, second only to the Holy Bible. The title is THEY FIRED THE FIRST SHOT 2012, written by A Friend of Medjugorje. I strongly encourage every pro-life person, every American patriot, to read this book. It will change the way you think about everything. The answer to our abortion holocaust and the preservation of our nation is found here.
“The stark reality is that at the same time that an American being born today has a one in four chance of living 100 years for the first time, we also face the stark reality that there is the same one-in-four chance of a baby being aborted and never having the opportunity to live that long life.”—Jeannemarie Davis, a candidate for LT Gov in VA
This comment hits home as my Mom is 103 now.
Mary
Wonderful article about what was going on at a time long before many pro-lifers were born! But just one note, even though this week marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, it is only the 39th March for Life, the first March being organized to mark the one year anniversary of Roe v. Wade in 1974.
Josh, if you begin with the first annual march in 1974 and count until today’s march in 2013, you will certainly get 40. I used to have trouble with that myself. :-)
Let’s hope and pray that this younger demographic will continue to realize through our fantastic current technology that these are tiny living human beings who need to be protected more than anyone else at this time…since they seem to have no rights at all with this administration, and only have a few more, if any, of these marches again. Let’s get LIFE back for all! Think of all the talent and love that has been snuffed out for 40 years…..It’s appalling and devastating to think of what has been done to millions upon millions. Thank God this current generation realizes that many of their “own” have been eliminated in the cruelest way imaginable.
Sex education secures abortion! Who will combat the “ill fated” decision of the U S bishops who allow sexualized catechetics in parochial schools? See the “Growing In Love” curriculum with imprimatur that is not only pornographic but steals the rights of parents to teach their own children.
http://www.motherswatch.net/content/view/12/6/ - Part 1
http://www.motherswatch.net/content/view/15/6/ - Part 2
Youth in parochial schools are given too much information that removes the protections of natural blush and shame all the while destroying Catholic principles. Why have the U S bishops turned their backs to Holy Mother Church in regards to education?
Decree of March 21, 1931, Congregation of the Holy office forbidding sex education: Question: May the method called ‘sex education’ or even‘sex initiation’ be approved?
Answer: “No. In the education of youth the method to be followed is that hitherto observed by the Church and the Saints as recommended by His Holiness the Pope in the Encyclical dealing with the Christian Education of Youth, (Divini Illius Magistri) promulgated December 31, 1929…”
Bishops of the U S issued a Statement of November 17, 1950 regarding the role of parents in the instruction of children on matters relating to sex……”We protest in the strongest possible terms against the introduction of sex instruction into the school!!” (their emphasis not mine)
Pope Pius XII, Address to the French Fathers and Families on September 18, 1951 on the matter of sex initiation and propaganda, “……..procreation and education of children are the serious duties of married couples……Fathers of families.. Unite and to stop and curtail these movements…..”
Pope Pius XII in his address of April 13, 1953, states that personal sex instruction of children and youth in the home should place special stress “upon self mastery and religious training.”
see Randy Engel’s book page 58-59 “Sex Education The Final Plague”.
Sex education secures abortion!
Who will combat the ill fated decision of the U S bishops who allow sexualized catechetics in parochial schools? See the “Growing In Love” curriculum with imprimatur that is not only pornographic but steals the rights of parents to teach their own children.
http://www.motherswatch.net/content/view/12/6/ - Part 1
http://www.motherswatch.net/content/view/15/6/ - Part 2
Youth in parochial schools are given too much information that removes the protections of natural blush and shame all the while destroying Catholic principles. Why have the U S bishops turned their backs to Holy Mother Church in regards to education?
I posted Papal documents to substantiate what the Catholic Church teaches in regards to sex education. It was considered possible ‘spam’ and prevented from being posted by moderator. Does anyone have a proper explanation why Magisterial Teachings are considered spam?
Dawn, now that I think of it, you’re right. If the 1st March was the 1st anniversary then of course the 40th March is the 40th anniversary! Thanks for pointing that out.
If you are interested in reading an inspiring and captivating book about the pro-life movement, I highly recommend the memoir “Abandoned” by pro-life leader Monica Migliorino Miller.
I recently finished the book, which is an autobiographical account of her years on the front-lines of the pro-life movement, and I found it to be a life-changing read.
More details about the book can be found here:
http://allhands-ondeck.blogspot.com/2013/01/this-morning-i-finished-reading.html
Still, after 40 years of murdering 55 million plus brothers and sisters, little girls are being prepared for their later need of abortions in the U S bishops schools with sexualized catechetics.
Pro lifers are not sufficiently horrified to stop killings of the unborn. They refuse to combat the root cause of abortion that instills barbarism which is classroom sex education that has been condemned by Pontiffs.
We are a disobedient stiff-necked people.
Amazing things here. I’m very glad to look your post. Thanks so much and I’m looking forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
key2 http://bit.ly/AvoidPE/
A Good Prayer:
“Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ.”
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Angelus has been traditionally said three times daily, at 6 am, noon and 6 pm, you can pray it at anytime! It is still accompanied by the ringing of a bell (the Angelus bell) in some places.
The Angelus reminds us of the Annunciation when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with great news! As we read in Chapter One of Luke’s Gospel, (Luke 1:26-38) God wished Mary, truly a model of humility, to be the mother of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ
“Marriage and the Family” by Sister Paulette Huber, Ad.PP.S.
“..She is the “sun” because her self-sacrificing generosity is ever operative in diffusing love.
The wife is the “sun” of the family because by her candid naturalness and dignified simplicity she reflects solid virtue, the spectral rays of the Divine Sun of Justice. Her truly Christian decorum is mirrored in the recollection and in the rectitude of her spirit, in the subtle nobility of her poise, and in the delicate reserve of her general bearing. Thus, her “slight suggestions, hints, graceful expressions of the face, prudent silences and smiles, a condescending inclination of the head, give her the grace of a chosen yet simple flower, that opens its corolla to receive and reflect the color of the sun”
This truth is strikingly pointed out in this statement: “to the bride the Lord in His bounty will have granted the dignity of motherhood to the side of the cradle, the crying of the infant will neither lessen nor destroy the felicity of the home; but rather it will increase and elevate it into that divine circle, where the heavenly angels shine and whence descends a ray of life that conquers nature and regenerates the sons of men into sons of God”……………………….
Marriage and the Family
“..She is the “sun” because her self-sacrificing generosity is ever operative in diffusing love.
The wife is the “sun” of the family because by her candid naturalness and dignified simplicity she reflects solid virtue, the spectral rays of the Divine Sun of Justice. Her truly Christian decorum is mirrored in the recollection and in the rectitude of her spirit, in the subtle nobility of her poise, and in the delicate reserve of her general bearing. Thus, her “slight suggestions, hints, graceful expressions of the face, prudent silences and smiles, a condescending inclination of the head, give her the grace of a chosen yet simple flower, that opens its corolla to receive and reflect the color of the sun” (Ibid.).
This truth is strikingly pointed out in this statement: “to the bride the Lord in His bounty will have granted the dignity of motherhood to the side of the cradle, the crying of the infant will neither lessen nor destroy the felicity of the home; but rather it will increase and elevate it into that divine circle, where the heavenly angels shine and whence descends a ray of life that conquers nature and regenerates the sons of men into sons of God”……………………….
Bishops could have ended abortion at any time all these years but they won’t. They give eloquent lip service and then give communion to the same politicians that push abortion legislation. Was it 5 or 6 priests that celebrated the most pro-abortion politician’s funeral, Ted Kennedy, in public. Who was the bishop that gave Andrew Cuomo communion at the same time he is pushing unlimitied, tax payer abortion on NY State? Please, actions speak louder than words, don’t they. Just how many bishops and cardinals actually march? I haven’t seen one. Have you?
Kathleen Roberts - it’s much worse than what you think. See how they are ruining youth’s minds in U S bishops’ schools with pornographic materials such as the “Growing In Love” series:
http://www.motherswatch.net/content/view/12/6/ - Part 1
http://www.motherswatch.net/content/view/15/6/ - Part
Thanks Joe for the info and links.
Kathleen Roberts - I hope to hear from you on how you will not be silent as our youth are being led to slaughter. Catholics were formerly tortured and murdered in nazi Germany/communist prisons. Now the church has signed a pact with the communists to never speak ill of them and Catholicism is being defeated in the parochial schools with the help of the teachers and UNcatechied parents. The new canon laws protect raising of the new barbarians as Randy Engel speaks about in her book, “Sex Education The Final Plague”.
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