It’s been one year since Dobb’s decision, Archdiocese celebrates with Pro-life Mass
During a recent Pro-life Mass at Holy Family Parish in Nutley, Father John Gordon expressed concern about the widespread belief that it is acceptable to disregard the value of human life, even among those who hold religious beliefs.
The Mass was commemorating the one-year anniversary of the ruling on June 24, 2022, in the Dobbs v. Jackson case. This case overturned the Roe v. Wade decision made in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court, which granted the constitutional right to access abortion. The Dobbs decision removed abortion as a constitutional right.
Cheryl Riley, the director of Respect Life Ministry at the Archdiocese of Newark, said the Mass was planned to celebrate the decision that celebrates life at conception.
The first reading was from the Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians: “And even though our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing in whose god of this age has blinded the minds of the believers so that they may not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Father Gordon told the 150 faithful who attended the Mass on June 15 that we are in doubt and confused.
“Everything is topsy turvy,” he said. “But the word of God continues to tell us the truth. People are longing for the truth. Only the gospel of Jesus can bring hope.”
He said that the gospel is “doable, livable” and can lift the veil of confusion.
“May lives be saved; may souls be saved. Pray with me,” he told the congregation.
“Come Holy Spirt, Come Holy Spirit,” the congregation called out.
According to New Jersey Right to Life, which sponsored a Marist Poll that asked specific questions on abortion of 1,024 New Jersey registered voters in April, 60% say they believe abortion should be limited to at most the first three months of pregnancy and 35% believe abortion should never be permitted. Twenty-nine percent believe abortion be limited to exceptions, such as in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
On June 24, Archdiocese of Newark parishes will head to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton where a Mass and rally will take place. A Mass for Life will be at 9:30 a.m. followed by the New Jersey Right to Life rally at the statehouse annex.
The Archdiocese of Newark is a proponent of the Equal Rights for Babies in the Womb organization which raises awareness with car magnets, the Prayer Project and supports marches for Equal Rights for Babies in the Womb.
