US bishops request prayer, action on abortion pills during Respect Life Month

Ahead of Respect Life Month in October, the U.S. bishops’ pro-life chairman called on Catholics to pray and advocate against abortion pills and continue supporting mothers and those seeking healing after abortion.

Bishop Daniel Thomas, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, made the appeal in a Sept. 29 statement, pointing to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the model for the 2026 theme, “Mary, Mother of Life.”

“Our Blessed Mother is our model for upholding the sanctity of all human life in every stage and circumstance. We entrust all our efforts to protect mothers and babies to her motherly care, which we greatly need at this time,” he said.

The bishops launched the nationwide initiative Aug. 18, and participation continues through Oct. 31, as Zeale News previously reported. The campaign invites Catholics to seek St. Joseph’s intercession, learn and share information about abortion pills, and send messages to pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies involved in their distribution. 

“Today, with easier access to abortion pills, the abortion rate is tragically climbing, along with increased health risks,” Bishop Thomas said. “The Food and Drug Administration has enabled a nationwide mail-order abortion industry by allowing the abortion pill to be prescribed in telehealth appointments, sold both at neighborhood pharmacies and online, and often shipped in the mail, circumventing state laws that protect life in the womb.”

His concerns also centered on the many risks women may face after obtaining abortion pills.

“This means that more women, many of whom have been misinformed about the nature and risks of the abortion pill, will have an abortion alone at home, without any medical supervision,” Bishop Thomas said. “It also sets up additional opportunities for exploitation by violent partners or human traffickers. These affronts to human dignity demand our response.”

The appeal comes as pro-life laws and ministries face legal challenges across the country. Planned Parenthood is seeking to establish abortion as a right in Wisconsin, and two pro-life pregnancy ministries are defending their abortion pill reversal services against a California lawsuit, as Zeale News previously reported.

The bishop also pointed to two ministries offering support during difficult pregnancies and healing after abortion.

“Knowing that every abortion involves the death of a child and harm to the mother, we must also continue our efforts to assist mothers facing challenging pregnancies through Walking with Moms in Need, and to help women and men seeking forgiveness and healing after participation in a past abortion through Project Rachel Ministry,” he said.

Bishop Thomas concluded: “May Mary, Mother of Life, and Saint Joseph, Defender of Life, pray for us!”