The Catholic bishops of New Jersey have called for a day of prayer and fasting on Friday, Jan. 22, the 48th anniversary of the Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision.
“As we mark this tragic event in our nation’s history, we remember the millions of lives lost to abortion and pray for the mothers and fathers left to suffer the tragic effects,” they write in a statement signed by all the bishops of the state.
They ask for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn, “to intercede on our behalf that these efforts to end abortion are guided by mercy, compassion and, above all, charity.”
The full letter follows:
We, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, ask Catholics and people of good will to join us on Friday January 22, 2021, the 48th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, in a Day of Prayer and Fasting to end abortion.
As we mark this tragic event in our nation’s history, we remember the millions of lives lost to abortion and pray for the mothers and fathers left to suffer the tragic effects.
The Catholic Church is committed to protecting all life from conception to natural death. We will work vigorously to ensure the laws of our state and country protect and defend the intrinsic dignity of all people.
We humbly implore our Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and Protectress of the Unborn, to intercede on our behalf that these efforts to end abortion are guided by mercy, compassion, and above all charity.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop, Archdiocese of Newark
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop, Diocese of Trenton
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan
Bishop, Diocese of Camden
Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney
Bishop, Diocese of Paterson
Most Reverend James F. Checchio
Bishop, Diocese of Metuchen
Most Reverend Kurt Burnette
Bishop, Eparchy of Passaic
Most Reverend Yousif Habash
Bishop of Our Lady of Deliverance of Syriac Catholic Diocese