by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The U.S. bishops are urging Catholics across the nation to participate in a “Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life” beginning in August.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities, asked Catholics and all people of good will to participate in this prayer and education effort.
The call for prayer, fasting and education comes as the U.S. Senate prepares to hold hearings this fall to consider Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.
There has been much speculation that Kavanaugh’s addition to the high court could imperil the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
“As soon as Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, pro-abortion groups began lobbying the U.S. Senate to reject any nominee who does not promise to endorse Roe v. Wade,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
“We should certainly raise grave concerns about a confirmation process that is being grossly distorted by efforts to subject judicial nominees to a litmus test of support for abortion,” he added. “And we must pray.”
The U.S. bishops ask Catholics to pray the novena every Friday from Aug. 3 to Sept. 28.
“We’ll have the opportunity to join in a nine-week effort of prayer, fasting and education that a change in the U.S. Supreme Court will move our nation closer to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life,” said Archbishop Naumann, who is chairman-elect of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
To participate, click here. Then click on the “Join” button to sign up to participate in the novena and continuing Call to Prayer initiatives.
Those who sign up will receive weekly email or text message reminders to pray and fast, along with facts about the Roe v. Wade ruling that they can use to educate others — including their two U.S. senators.
Alternatively, participants can also scroll down to the “Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life,” and click on the highlighted text to go directly to the novena.
There, click the “Join” button, and below, in the highlighted text, the option to go to prayers for each day of the novena can be found.
“In addition to the current fast on Fridays, participants will be encouraged to pray one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for this intention,” said Archbishop Naumann.
“May Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for the healing of our nation and our people from decades of abortion on demand,” added the archbishop.
