June 25, 2022

Bishop issues letter to people of the Diocese of Springfield regarding life and the overturning of Roe v. Wade

REGIONAL
Staff report

Bishop William D. Byrne joins with others in January of 2022 for the local Respect Life Mass and March in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne has issued the following letter to the people of the Diocese of Springfield in response to the June 24 Supreme Court ruling which has overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on abortion:

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For many, many years, Catholics, and people who understand that all life is sacred, have been praying for a day when Roe v. Wade would be overturned, when unborn babies would be protected, welcomed and loved. That their parents are supported with practical help so that they didn’t feel like abortion was their only option.

So, I welcomed the Supreme Court decision, upholding each state’s right to defend life. Sadly, here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we still have much work to do.  Massachusetts has one of the most permissive abortion laws in the country, allowing abortion through the ninth month of pregnancy. We continue to work, advocate and pray that our brothers and sisters will recognize the right to life of the most vulnerable among us. This includes not just the unborn who are so precious to us, but all people whose human dignity of life is threatened.

We need to work to affirm this right, the right given by God alone that all life is sacred. Now, more than ever, we must lead with love to help change hearts and minds on the issue of abortion. This is not a political issue, but a human rights issue. Women deserve better than a choice that can never be undone. These precious lives certainly deserve to be held and loved and welcomed.

This decision has evoked strong emotions, including unfortunate threats and attacks on centers across the country. All people of goodwill should join me in condemning such violence in the strongest terms.

As Catholics, our job is to pray and witness to the love of Christ, in season and out of season. So let us pray for and walk with families in need; let us pray for and walk with women and men hurt by abortion; and let us pray for and walk with those who don’t agree with us to show them what the love of Christ looks like.

Praise be Jesus Christ,

The Most Rev. William D. Byrne
Bishop of Springfield, MA