Wet response of English & Welsh Bishops to Roe vs Wade Overturned

Finally, after much prompting, The Catholic Bishops have published something about the overturning of Roe vs Wade 4 days ago.

Celebrities, politicians and the media have been decrying the ruling for days now and the bishops have said nothing.

The reaction serves to demonstrate how woeful and inadequate their approach to this essential, pre-eminent issue of our times, continues to be. They love shouting about non-controversial issues like climate change and illegal immigrants, but always fail when it comes to the things they should be focused on.

The only individual comment I spotted was from Bishop Egan:

Fantastic news about the overturning of Roe v. Wade - a real opportunity for the promotion of life in the US. It gives new heart to our campaigns here. pic.twitter.com/82KO4A9EJ6

— Bishop Philip Egan (@BishopEgan) June 25, 2022

Given the massive victory this constitutes for the pro-life cause, how can our bishops say so little? It was left to Westminster Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington (as a priest recently described him to me: "he's a nice man, but wet") to release this statement:

The recent decision of the US Supreme Court to overturn the Roe v Wade judgement and so affirm that the constitution does not confer a right to abortion is momentous and of huge significance. It reflects the prayers, dedicated work and commitment of those who seek to protect women who are pregnant and the unborn child. Pope Francis reminds us of how abortion laws have trivialised the gift of human life, “It is troubling to see how simple and convenient it has become for some to deny the existence of a human life as a solution to problems that can and must be solved for both the mother and her unborn child.” (Pope Francis to UN, September 2020) 

[Note: the bishops ALWAYS have to quote Pope Francis on EVERYTHING - which is a totally fallacious understanding of their own role and authority. Also, this Pope is HUGELY questionable on this issue, constantly speaking out of both sides of his mouth. Most recently, after Archbishop Cordileone sanctioned the Speaker of the House for her consistent promotion of abortion, the Pope appointed Bishop McElroy to the College of Cardinals. McElroy is best known for standing alone in opposing the US Bishops affirmation of the anti-abortion issue as pre-eminent. Although he has a lot of other shady history. Given the context, how could anyone read this as any other than a condemnation of the US bishops strong pro-life stand? Indeed, the eminent theologian, Fr Thomas Weinandy recently said that Pope Francis was insulting the faithful with this horrendous appointment]

The judgement not only calls for reflection in the US, but also for significant reflection in our country as we see again the rising numbers of abortions in 2021. The many painful situations which lead to abortion are reflected in these shocking statistics and call for better legal and social protections for women and the unborn child. They call for much more reflection on what is needed for relationships and sex education that is rooted in respect and self-restraint, support for the family and single mothers. We need to reduce the upper time limit for abortions and re-examine the law which permits a child with disability to be aborted up to birth. This is a moment that calls for the building of a culture of life and welcome where all are recognised and treated as a gift. This is the work of the evangelisation of culture.

Oh-oh! This isn't a Catholic position bishop!

I find it shocking that +Sherrington said: 'We need to reduce the upper time limit for abortions.' Not a Catholic position! No moral defence for aborting younger unborn humans; an earlier time limit risks provoking women to make hasty decisions. All abortions are equally wrong.

— Ben Trovato (@CCFather) June 28, 2022

The Church will strive to offer hope and healing for all those hurt by the tragedy of abortion.

We wish to see fruitful debate on these important topics, avoiding polarised ideologies. The value of human life is too precious for such an approach.

We ask the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Gianna Beretta Molla and remember the prayer of the Hail Mary, ‘Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus’.

+John Sherrington
Lead Bishop for Life Issues
Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster

This is all very good, if a little wet, but the bishops themselves are undermining "relationship and sex education that is rooted in respect and self restraint..."

It does nothing to speak to the key issues. For example, we are sometimes told that illegalising abortion will just push it underground but in reality the facts or figures show a different story. A woman who’d had multiple abortions once spoke to a pro-life friend of mine. She was asked if there was anything that could have prevented her from making the decisions she did. After a pause she said ‘Yes, there’s one thing . . . the law’. She said ‘If abortion had been illegal I would never have had an abortion and my children would still be here with me today’.

The law offers a last protection for any children who aren’t yet recognised as such by their parents, it offers a last protection for any women who are tempted to think that abortion is somehow a solution to their problems. The law also prevents men from shirking their responsibilities of fatherhood and pushes societies and governments to confront the inadequacies there are in social care for those who are pregnant or struggling with children.

The facts are the lies of the pro-abortion lobby are received truth by the majority and we desperately need to get busy countering this narrative. Bishop Sherrington speaks of education, but what Catholic schools speak about this in any accurate or meaningful way? I was called in to our local Catholic School when my second son supported a pro-life position because his stance might upset some of the pupils. What sort of a school system are the bishops running?

People like Trent Horn are a gift to the Church and passionate about pro-life issues in a way the bishops need to catch!

If you want to learn more about pro-life arguments or the pro-life cause, go to March4Life UK and become a supporter. Watch Trent expose abortion lies here: