Diocese Of Trenton Welcomes SCOTUS Overturn Of Roe V. Wade

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Bishop David M. O’Connell of the Diocese of Trenton welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V. Wade.

In a 6-3 decision on Friday, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion in 1973. More: Roe V. Wade Overturned: How Abortion Bans Will Impact New Jersey

“For almost 50 years, pro-life Catholics and people of goodwill in the United States have prayed fervently, lobbied hard, participated in marches and raised their voices consistently that the fateful 1973 decision of the Supreme Court “Roe v. Wade” would be overturned,” O’Connell said in a statement.

“Given the strident and unrelenting advocacy of those who have supported abortion over the years, it seemed an almost unreachable goal. Today, that goal has been achieved.”

The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a watershed moment for the country’s Catholic Church and the pro-life movement, which has sought the reversal since the decision was handed down in 1978.

Despite the Supreme Court decision, abortion still remains legal in New Jersey.

In January, New Jersey passed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice act, protecting the right to have an abortion in the state.

O’Connell said the Catholic Church has much to do in New Jersey to " end the scourge of abortion.” “Here in New Jersey, which “boasts” of the most permissive abortion laws in the country, pro-life Catholics and people of good will still have much work to be done. Our opponents are many and occupy the highest positions in the state,” O’Connell said.

“We must continue the good work that today’s decision represents and persistently proclaim the sanctity of every person in order to end the scourge of abortion and any attack on human life.”

The Bishop said the Church must continue its support of pregnant women and young families so that they don’t feel abortion is their only option.

“The innocent, vulnerable unborn - and their mothers - deserve no less.”

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