As the Wisconsin Supreme Court considers its decision on a case that would determine the legality of abortion in the state, the faithful were invited to make March 1 a day of prayer, fasting, and vigil for the unborn.
The cases came about after the state’s 1849 law banning abortion was challenged by state Attorney General Josh Kaul and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin in two separate cases.
The 1849 ban went into effect following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.
Pro-lifers gathered near the State Capitol steps on March 1 where they listened to speakers including Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference Barbara Sella, and Laura Karlen from Vigil for Life Madison.
God’s word on life
“We know that all life is sacred. We know that life begins at conception and that the Lord has inscribed on our heart the prohibition ‘Thou shalt not kill,’” said Bishop Hying.
“The converse of that commandment is to nurture and love and respect life. Every human life is a participation in the life of God. Every human life is a direct act of the Father’s will,” he added.
He continued that “Those in favor of abortion must always speak in euphemisms, manipulate language, and change the meaning of things.
“We, on the contrary, can simply speak the truth unvarnished without any sense of trying to complicate it. We can simply say human life is sacred, human life is good, and that human life from conception onwards, is worthy of our respect and protection.”
With a sense of gratitude, he closed by saying, “Thank you for being here on this cold day and thank you for the many ways that you give witness to the truth that every human person is made in God’s image and likeness.
“We bow down before that human dignity because we see in every human person the image of God, and that’s what continues to inspire us. For every single one of you, I give praise and thanks to God today.”
A ‘societal wrong’
Sella, who heads up the public policy voice of the Church in Wisconsin said that “State-sanctioned killing of unborn children is one of the deepest societal wrongs and it is vital that we combat it at every level.”
She explained that “Public praying and fasting, as we are doing today, is our right . . . voting for and pressing our elected officials to enact just laws is our responsibility . . . going to the margins to encounter and accompany those most in need is our duty as followers of Christ.”
Sella went on to say that “Helping others sometimes involves changing laws and structures. Other times it is simpler and more basic but all of us can do something to ensure that our society is more just and merciful.”
She continued, “To be pro-life is to embrace both mother and child. We are [also] here to help fathers support and embrace their children and see them as a gift from God. Let us commit to assisting mothers and fathers so that they do not feel pressured or compelled to end their child’s life, whether abortion is legal or illegal. “
A place for an ‘old law’
Karlen said that “Just because a law is old doesn’t make it a bad law. I can think of many old laws that are good, like ‘Do not kill.’”
She added that “We are gathered here to pray and fast in anticipation of the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decisions, that all children, born and unborn, will be protected in Wisconsin. We are standing up today for those who are not visible, except on an ultrasound.”
Karlen also said that “When the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, for one glorious year, there were no abortions in Wisconsin because we had an existing abortion ban in place.”
Following the speakers, those gathered prayed the Rosary for the unborn.
Decisions on the court cases are expected sometime in the early part of this year.
A 40 Days for Life campaign of prayer, peaceful presence, and joyful encouragement is currently underway until Sunday, April 13.
For more information on how to pray and be a witness for life, go to vigilforlife.org.