Statement of Bishop James F. Checchio on the United States Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson

As Catholics who believe in the intrinsic dignity of life from conception to natural death regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic status, we welcome the United States Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. In its ruling, the Supreme Court has corrected the duplicitous reasoning in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey,  which permitted the lawful killing of innocent life. As a Church, we are grateful to God for this blessing on our land and move to continue our work in building up a culture of life that supports all mothers and families in need. Today's ruling validates that even the most innocent and dependent human beings have a right to life.  

The Church professes that all life is sacred. Therefore, we are obligated as Catholics to work and preserve life from all laws or conditions that seek to diminish it. We are a people who not only believe that abortion is wrong, but other measures to terminate life like euthanasia, assisted suicide, and capital punishment has no place in our society. 

Abortion, by its very nature, degrades life. The intentional taking of life does nothing but reduce life to a choice and declares life is only valued when desired, creating a culture where human life in its most vulnerable state can easily be discarded.  

The Holy Father has been unambiguously clear that the life of an unborn child must always be protected.   In 2021 Pope Francis responded to a reporter's question that "abortion is more than an issue. Abortion is murder." In a speech to the United Nations, Pope Francis noted, "it is troubling to see how simple and convenient it has become for some to deny the existence of a human life as a solution to problems that can and must be solved for both the mother and her unborn child" (Pope Francis, address to the United Nations, Sept. 25, 2020).   

We are mindful of the reality that abortion on demand was essentially the law of the land for fifty years under the landmark decision of Roe V. Wade. Over those years, many have accepted and believed that killing life in the womb was a right. As a result, many are incensed that this "right" is no longer the law of the land.  

The Church understands that a woman's decision to have an abortion often comes amid complicated, tragic, and painful circumstances. The choice for abortion, as presented by our culture, promotes abortion as the obvious choice. As a Church, we provide women with better life-preserving options. We go beyond encouraging a woman to keep her child and work to provide the care needed for both mother and child. 

On the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we ask for God's mercy and pray through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the grace to help all in our country see and understand the value of all human life. As many may be compelled to act in light of this decision, we call the faithful of the diocese and all people of goodwill to pray for healing in our land and to continue their effort to build a culture of life where both mother and child are secure, safe, and protected. 

May our one nation, under God, come together to support the dignity of life for all. 

Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Bishop of Metuchen