During the 2023 Virginia General Assembly session that begins Jan. 11, there will be numerous opportunities to defend human life and dignity across a wide spectrum of concerns. This will be especially true on the issue of abortion, due to the U.S. Supreme Court’s welcome and vitally important decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Dobbs restored the power to protect life from the moment of conception to the people and their elected representatives. As a result, some states have implemented laws that will save thousands of preborn children.
More than half of the states, however, have few limits on abortion. Virginia is one of those states. In the upcoming session, the Virginia Catholic Conference and its pro-life allies will press forward with proposals to protect lives and ensure compassionate care and support for Virginia’s preborn children, their mothers and families. Details on this legislation will be available closer to session.
To prepare for the challenging advocacy that lies ahead and to build a culture of life in Virginia, all are encouraged to:
—Pray, fast and offer sacrifice for the conversion of minds and hearts.
—Join the Virginia Catholic Conference advocacy network (go to vacatholic.org and click “Join us!”).
—Support initiatives that ensure compassionate care and support for children both before and after birth, and for their mothers and families. To learn more about the services provided by the Catholic dioceses in Virginia, go to vacatholic.org/resources and click “The Catholic Response to Women in Need: Diocesan-Affiliated Pregnancy Resources in Virginia.”
—Learn how you can offer care and support for those suffering after abortion (same link as above).
—Come to Richmond Feb. 1, 2023, for a comprehensive day of prayer, advocacy and witness for life. The second annual Defending Life Day (vaprolifeday.org) will be that morning, followed by the fifth annual Virginia March for Life (va.marchforlife.org) that afternoon. Stay tuned for details coming soon about this exciting combination of events.
Caruso is executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference.
