The Catholic Church celebrates Respect Life Month in October, with the first Sunday, Oct. 2, being called Respect Life Sunday. 

Archbishop William E. Lori, of Baltimore, outlined the Church's stance against abortion, and called for a revival of the culture of life.

“It is the time for a renewal and rededication of our efforts to build a culture of life and civilization of love,” Lori said in a press release published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Lori formerly chaired the USCCB. “Justice requires that the basic protections of the law against violence be extended to the pre-born child... a world in which all are welcome requires not only justice, but compassion, healing, and above all, unconditional love.” 

Lori said Catholics must “shift the paradigm to what St. Pope John Paul II described as ‘radical solidarity,’ making the good of others our own good, including especially mothers, babies (born and unborn), and families throughout the entire human lifespan.”

He mentioned the victory in Dobbs v. Jackson as a starting point for the Church to pray for pro-life legislation in the states.

“Our Church understands that parents, children, and families need help not just during pregnancy, but throughout the whole of life’s journey because millions of Catholics already accompany their neighbors in such circumstances,” he continued.

The Catholic Church has maintained a strong stance against abortion for centuries, regardless of evolving biological theories about when exactly life begins, according to the USCCB. According to the Catechism, "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law" (No. 2271) 

A Gallup Poll conducted in May 2022 found that the majority of Americans do not support unrestricted access to abortion. 50% of respondents to the survey said they believe abortion should only be legal under certain circumstances, and 13% of respondents believed abortion should be illegal in all circumstances. 35% of respondents believed abortion should be legal in all cases. 

RespectLife.org offers materials to help Catholics better understand the gift of human life. They can use the materials to help rebuild the culture of life within and outside the Church. Its website includes a parish webinar, a Respect Life poster, a prayer for pregnant mothers, an action guide and the statement from Archbishop Lori, chairman of the USCCB on Pro-Life Activities, and many other resources. 

“Our work for the cause of life is more spiritual than it is political,” Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, who also is president of the USCCB, tweeted about Respect Life Month. “We believe that our God is a God of love. Let us ask him today in our rosary to open our hearts to the love for all life, even those hardest to love.” 

The March for Life Wisconsin took place on Sept. 24. Pro-Life Wisconsin tweeted about the gathering saying “Pro-Life Wisconsin families were out in full force” that day.