This month we recall the disastrous 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which overturned the abortion laws in all 50 states. That decision has cost over 50 million lives and has contributed significantly to the polarization and bitterness of our political and cultural life.
Each year on Jan. 22, the precise date of the decision, the Catholic Church in the United States holds a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. This year, because that date is a Sunday, the Day of Prayer will take place on Monday. I urge Catholics in Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to make it a day of prayer, privately or by attending one of the Masses or holy hours celebrated on that day.
The March for Life in Washington will also take place on Monday, Jan. 23, and I urge you to join me in attending. A number of parishes and groups are organizing buses. They are listed in this week’s Dialog and on the diocesan website at www.cdow.org, to make it easy for you to find transportation and companions. Also, nearly 500 of our youth will be participating with me, other bishops and over 20,000 of their fellow young people from across the United States at the celebration of Mass in the Verizon Center early Monday morning. Another equally large group of youth will attend Mass at the D.C. Armory.
Whatever you are able to do, your prayer and witness are important in this great struggle for human life.
Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly
Bishop of Wilmington
