Abortion has been a highly controversial topic for years. In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that abortion was a fundamental right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The ruling of this case held that women had the right to abortion because it fell within their right to privacy. Additionally, supporters of abortion claim that women should have the right to control their bodies (and that reproductive choice empowers women). They argue that access to professionally performed abortions reduces the chance of a mother suffering injury or death due to an unsafe abortion, serves as population control, can reduce crime rate and welfare costs, and that a fetus is not a person.
But what about the other side of the argument? One different viewpoint comes from the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church teaches that human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. The Catholic Church recognizes the embryo to be treated as a person from conception, and therefore must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being. Although the Catholic Church does not support abortion, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops does encourage Catholics to show their love and support for women who have had an abortion.
Earlier this week, GMU Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) held its Fourth Annual Pregnancy Resource Campaign. Students from CCM’s Peace and Justice Committee spread awareness of resources for pregnant women, as well as resources for post-abortion counseling and support.
I had the chance to speak with Michele Haggard, one of the leaders of the CCM Peace and Justice Committee, to learn more about what her committee does to advocate for the right to life and why she claims herself as being the pro-life generation.
Juliane Veloso: Can you tell me more about your position within the Peace and Justice Committee?
Michele Haggard: Our Peace and Justice Committee participates in different service ministries based on the Corporal Works of Mercy. We have a Homeless Ministry where we cook and serve a meal to the homeless [at the Lamb Center] every other Friday; we sit down with them, eat, and build relationships with them. We also have a day where we make and distribute lunches for the homeless in D.C. We have a Juvenile Detention Center Ministry where we visit kids at the Juvenile Detention Center and spend time with them. We have a Pro-Life Ministry in which people pray outside an abortion clinic every Saturday to be there as a support for people. The Pro-Life Ministry also goes to the March for Life.
JV: What inspired you to lead this committee?
MH: I really love this ministry because it’s doing exactly what I think God is calling us to do — serving our brothers and sisters, and those that are most vulnerable in our community, the marginalized and the forgotten. I think everyone has that desire to give to people who they see really need help. Being able to have these ministries where people can be that instrument and serve others, students find that they’re the ones being served. For example, when they spend time at the Lamb Center and talk to someone and just hear the joy, even though [the person they are serving] is going through so many struggles. That helps us as students to gain perspective.
JV: So, why is it that you’re pro-life?
MH: Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Abortion is the greatest destroyer of peace.” I think abortion is one of the greatest evils. It kills innocent people, but it also harms women. I think one of the greatest lies of our culture is that we need to kill our children to succeed and to grow. But, we need to celebrate womanhood. And, it hurts men and tears apart families. I advocate for pro-life because I care about people. I care about everyone. It’s not just the babies; I care about the women, the men and their families.
JV: Can you explain more about why you think everyone is affected by abortion?
MH: Women can have long-term psychological damage [from abortion]. There are also physical complications from abortion — [Women who have abortions] may not be able to have kids in the future, and have a chance of death. For men, there can also be psychological damage.
JV: How does abortion affect students on college campuses?
MH: Within our age group, [almost] everyone knows someone who has had an abortion, whether they realize it or not. One-fourth of our generation is missing, and that is heartbreaking. How many people will we never meet that were supposed to be here?
JV: Any last thoughts?
MH: We can’t have any other rights if we don’t have the fundamental right to life, and I think that is the most important issue of our time. We need to protect that right for the good of everyone, not just the unborn child. I think it’s a lie that abortion could ever help someone.
Want to learn more about or get involved with the pro-life movement?