Rockford Sun

The Diocese of Rockford released a statement on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade's declaration of a constitutional right to abortion. 

Bishop David J. Malloy oversees the Diocese of Rockford. 

The decision led to the immediate outlawing of abortion in several states. Before the ruling, Illinois widened access to abortion and provided financial aid to out-of-state women who wanted to have abortions. 

“The Supreme Court decision, released today in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, is a moment for profound reflection for our nation,” the Diocese of Rockford's statement said. "The Catholic Church, along with many other people of faith and of good will, has long sought the reversal of the 1973 Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. That tragic decision legalized abortion in the United States. The result has been over 63 million lives lost by abortion. Each of those babies were recognized by science, reason and faith as members of the human family who were made in the image and likeness of God and who had already begun their journey with us as our brothers and sisters. Roe v. Wade has caused a collective loss of recognition and love for them as human beings and for their right to life enshrined in our Constitution and our national purpose."

The Diocese of Rockford's statement also mentioned that reversing the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit by the U.S. Supreme Court “does not end a national debate about protection for the right to life of the preborn. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has recognized the flawed legal reasoning that removed that discussion from the legislative bodies elected by the voters,” and has returned “the abortion debate to each State’s legislative body.”

“That legislative process will continue and, as people committed to human rights and the protections for both those not yet born and for expectant mothers, we need to engage our representatives by persuasion and by our votes,” the Diocese of Rockford statement said. “Our voices can save lives. At the same time, for us as Catholics, this is a moment to bring forth our charity to heal the wounds that have been left by abortion. That means that we will continue to work to bring God’s merciful love to those suffering post-abortive wounds through the Church’s Project Rachel ministry." 

The Diocese also pledged to “continue to love, support and assist both preborn children and their mothers and recommit to offering the spiritual and material help needed by both in this critical moment when life is chosen.”  

“Most especially, this is a time for prayer,” the Diocese of Rockford statement said. “We need to ask for God’s grace for a renewed commitment to the beauty of God’s gift of life and for all the joys and sacrifices to serve that life as we build up the human family at every moment from conception to natural death.”

In Illinois, abortion facilities have increased their capacity in anticipation of a growth in demand for abortion. Planned Parenthood has added a number of extra abortion clinics along the state's border with Republican-controlled states. Supporters of abortion predict that the number of abortions will increase five-fold, Prairie State Wire reported. 

Since 2014, there has been an increase in the number of women traveling to Illinois for abortions. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 7,534 abortions performed on non-residents in Illinois in 2019, a 150% increase over the preceding five years, according to Block Club Chicago. The surge in the number of non-residents seeking abortions in the state is partially attributable to nonprofit groups that assist out-of-state abortion seekers, like the Chicago Abortion Fund.

NBC Chicago reported that the City of Chicago gave $500,000 to assist women of color and poor women who require abortion treatment. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot approved funding for various organizations, including the Midwest Access Coalition and the Chicago Abortion Fund. “So we've got to be ready, and we've got to step up,” she said prior to the U.S. Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.