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Statement From Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly Following the United States Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly issued the following statement following today’s historic decision by the United States Supreme Court in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case.
“The 2 million Knights of Columbus and their families are grateful and encouraged by today’s United States Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, one of the most significant advancements in human rights in our nation’s history. Since our Order’s founding by Blessed Michael McGivney in 1882, the Knights of Columbus has been dedicated to the protection of mothers and their children, which makes us rejoice all the more for today’s monumental ruling.
The Knights of Columbus believes in the dignity and worth of every human life. We work tirelessly, through prayer and action, to protect the sanctity of life.
For the past 50 years, Roe v. Wade has allowed abortion on demand, including late-term abortions up to birth. This poorly reasoned legal ruling has resulted in over 60 million lives lost and does not represent the view of the American people. Our extensive polling with The Marist Institute for Public Opinion has shown consistently, over the last 14 years, that there is a consensus among Americans to limit abortion. Most recently, the Marist Poll found that a vast majority of Americans — 80% — continue to believe that laws can be crafted that protect both the health and wellbeing of a woman and the life of the unborn. And a majority said abortion should either be illegal or returned to the states for regulation.
The Supreme Court’s decision rightly offers correction to a deeply flawed set of previous decisions and makes clear that neither the Constitution nor our nation’s history provide a fundamental right to procure an abortion.
The Knights of Columbus has always known that human life is precious and worthy of protection, and we were involved with the pro-life movement since the very beginning, joining Nellie Gray at her kitchen table when she organized the first March for Life in 1974. Knights of Columbus and their families have been an active part of every March for Life in Washington, D.C., ever since.
Today’s decision is a testimony to the hard work of countless people over many years and an inspiration for the work that lies ahead.
We are keenly aware that the reversal of Roe won’t be the end of abortion in America. But we pray that it will be the beginning of the end. Now, the fight will evolve at the state level and we urge lawmakers — both state and federal — to recognize the value of ‘unborn human beings’ and pass laws that protect both the mother and her unborn child.
It is a crucial time for us to come together and continue to express our love and support for unborn children, and for women who are in difficult pregnancies. We must continue to grow the pro-life safety net the Knights of Columbus has long supported.
In a post-Roe world, the Knights will continue to be there for mothers and their children, and we will continue to proclaim the dignity of every human life.”