To end abortion, embrace holiness, stand for truth

By Beth Vanderkooi

This year, Respect Life Month in October feels different – or it should. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 1, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. It’s a high-profile case because Mississippi directly asks the court to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the two cases that established a right to abortion before a baby can survive outside the womb. 

Scrutiny has been heightened by the court’s recent refusal to block Texas’ Heartbeat Law prohibiting abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. 

For nearly 50 years, the pro-life faithful have prayed, fasted and acted to end abortion. Our results have been mixed. We celebrate the infinite value of each life redeemed from abortion, but we know our efforts have often fallen short of ultimate victory. 

At Greater Columbus Right to Life, our sidewalk ministry has helped about 600 women choose life for their babies. For every one who turns away, dozens more continue into the clinic. At times it feels like using a thumb to stop a fire hose. 

A lot is going on in the world and in our own families, and many have stepped back or refrained from active engagement in pro-life work. Now, however, it is time to pick up our rosaries, make Holy Hours, fast and pray. 

Do not sit on the sidelines and watch history unfold. It is possible that the Supreme Court will reverse Roe and empower states to end abortion, but it is absolutely certain that abortion advocates are fighting back with every weapon and trick they possess, and they are fighting dirty. 

Thousands reacted in horror after a handful of abortion advocates stormed into Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral with blasphemy and violence to disrupt the Respect Life Mass in January. Their depraved acts continued with unlawful behavior at our Roe Remembrance at the Statehouse. 

We were exceedingly disappointed that neither the Statehouse security nor the Ohio State Highway Patrol was willing to remove the protesters from our event or press charges for breaking regulations, but charges are pending in the cathedral case. 

Abortion advocacy groups and pro-choice religious leaders applauded and supported this behavior, and some have even been fundraising for their legal defense. One such fundraiser sells T-shirts displaying with images of the “Cathedral Four” with halos and the words, “Our Patron Saints of Divine Confrontation.” Mockery of the Catholic faith continues with the tagline “Abortion be with you … And also with you.” 

This was not an isolated incident. In late September, about 100 abortion advocates protested outside the Statehouse for International Safe Abortion Day. The group eventually marched inside, shouting “OH-IO, abortion bans have to go,” and approached the Ohio Senate, which was meeting. 

With the doors shut against the sound of shouting and pounding (one person even beat on the doors with his shoe), the Senate quickly adjourned. Most senators and staff members left through a side door. 

When the group finally entered the Senate chamber, several protesters breached the security railing, entered the Senate floor and posed with signs at the president’s dais. They were removed by security and the Highway Patrol. This behavior was cheered by abortion advocacy organizations and even some members of the General Assembly.

Extreme positions are not limited to mobs of attention-seeking abortion fanatics. The U.S. House recently passed legislation to expand abortion in America to extremes unseen anywhere in the world except China and North Korea. The Biden administration has announced its priority to stop the Texas Heartbeat law. 

Legislation introduced in Congress would add four justices to the U.S. Supreme Court to ensure a pro-abortion majority. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein led a group of cities to file briefs opposing the Dobbs case. The zeal and fervor with which people are fighting for the right to kill innocent humans is merciless.

To fight back, we must embrace holiness and stand for truth. We must also learn to be merciless, not with other people but with our own sins. During Respect Life Month, get out of your comfort zone and get involved; we need you. Politics has never solved the problems of the world, but  saints have.

To join us in our mission to end abortion, consider joining us during Respect Life Month by praying with us. You can learn more at gcrtl.org/pray. You can also join our efforts to pray, fast and act for Roe to be overturned at gcrtl.org/dobbs-day. 

Beth Vanderkooi is the executive director of Greater Columbus Right to Life.