What is the Church’s role in this post-Dobbs political climate?
First, we must keep supporting moms and their families. I believe the key to this is Walking with Moms in Need (WWMIN), the U.S. bishops’ nationwide initiative to assist pregnant and parenting women and their families.
We must continue providing real compassion for a woman who’s scared, isolated, anxious, under pressure and lonely. She needs our love and support.
One way to provide that is by telling her where she can find local help and resources. WWMIN asks parish leaders to inventory their local communities and parish resources. If a pregnant woman is given information about what’s going on inside of her and her options, and if she receives love, support and the assurance that we will walk with her, she will opt for life.
We must make it possible for women and their families to make real and effective choices to support life. That’s how we build the culture of life. Laws are important, and political advocacy is important. The public face of our pro-life efforts is important to help raise consciousness.
But in a bitterly polarized society, it is our accompaniment of, and support for, women and families in these situations that changes hearts and minds through love and compassion. This extends even beyond the birth of the child to ensure that moms and their babies continue to be supported and are OK.
We need better communications about the goals of WWMIN because we’re up against false narratives. The best thing is for women who have gone through this experience to tell their stories because they touch hearts. And that’s what begins to change the conversation.
Pregnant/parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods. As Pope Francis reminds us, our parishes must be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.” We need to know how and where to refer women and families in spiritual, emotional, material or financial need.
A key strategy is to involve the active ministries in your parish/deanery. Prayer shawl/fiber crafting ministries could create comfort items; service clubs could offer to mow lawns, rake leaves, etc.; youth groups could coordinate drives for baby supplies. The list is limited only by our imaginations.
Ongoing bulletin/webpage announcements could raise awareness in your parish to pray for, donate to or volunteer at a support center. The parish as a whole could become more aware of needs and how they can support them through prayerful outreach and referrals.
Parishes decide their own ability to support individuals/families based on their resources and active ministries. Materials on the WWMIN website will support your efforts to raise awareness in your parishes (www.walkingwithmoms.com/). An introductory webinar is located at www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kOPGKo3Vqw. New materials are added to the site on an on-going basis.
WWMIN aims to help parishes and parishioners learn about needs and available resources. An emerging strategy for WWMIN is to work in parish clusters – no need to reinvent the wheel. One current option is to work on the resources inventory list identifying local support options. Then, each parish completes the parish-support section individually.
To connect your parish champion to a group, or for support in starting this ministry, send the contact information to me at the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org. Also, you can call me at 614-241-2540.
The cornerstone of Catholic social teaching is the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person. I pray we all start this new year with a focus of living out Catholic social teaching with energy and renewed conviction.