A Catholic bishop in the Philippines welcomed the decision of the US Supreme Court last week to overturn Roe v. Wade in a 6-3 decision, bringing an end to nearly a half-century of nationwide legalized abortion in the United States.
Bishop Crispin Varquez, head of the Episcopal Office on Women of the Philippine Catholic bishops’ conference welcomed the June 24 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
“The Supreme Court decision to ban abortion is good news,” said the Filipino prelate in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas 846.
He described the decision as “enlightened by the Holy Spirit.”
“It was timely when Rome celebrated World Meeting of Families led by Pope Francis,” said Bishop Varquez.
He expressed that the people of the United States “ask forgiveness from God, from their aborted babies and learn to forgive themselves as well.”
In the United States, a statement signed by Bishops Thomas Olmsted and Eduardo Nevares, the apostolic administrator and auxiliary bishop, respectively, of the Diocese of Phoenix, welcomed the decision.
“Our country has begun to repair the damage done to our nation by the catastrophes of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey—two Court decisions that led to the destruction of more than 60 million lives and confused our nation’s laws and moral conscience,” read the statement.
Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago commented that the ruling is an opportunity “for a national conversation on protecting human life in the womb and promoting human dignity at all stages of life.”
“This moment should serve as a turning point in our dialogue about the place an unborn child holds in our nation, about our responsibility to listen to women and support them through pregnancies and after the birth of their children, and about the need to refocus our national priorities to support families, particularly those in need,” said the prelate.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark said that the decision “recognizes that even the most helpless and dependent human beings have a right to life and possess inherent dignity and worth.”
“We hope that all Americans can discuss respectfully how best to support women who face crucial decisions while recognizing the dignity of the most vulnerable among us,” said Cardinal Tobin. – with a report from CNA