Since 1973, the Catholic Church in the United States has designated October as “Respect Life Month.” This year, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, serving as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, encourages Catholics to mark the 50th anniversary of Respect Life Month by demonstrating “radical solidarity” with women encountering difficult or challenging pregnancies.
Bishop Burbidge reiterates the sentiment expressed by Saint John Paul II, who coined the term “radical solidarity” in reference to the care owed to vulnerable pregnant women. He states, “In firmly rejecting ‘pro-choice,’ it is necessary to become courageously ‘pro-woman,’ promoting a choice that is truly in favor of women. … The only honest stance, in these cases, is that of radical solidarity with the woman.”
While efforts to end legalized abortion must remain strong, Bishop Burbidge asserted that all Catholics bear a personal responsibility to “thoroughly surround mothers in need with life-giving support and personal accompaniment.”
Read Bishop Burbidge’s full statement, “Living Radical Solidarity,” here.