US bishops launch prayer campaign to stop spread of mail-order abortion pills

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has asked Catholics across the country to join in prayer to St. Joseph to "stop the spread" of abortion pills, in response to the rise in abortions carried out with drugs sent through the mail. The prayer campaign runs from August 18 through October 31 and overlaps with Respect Life Month, marked in October.

USCCB president Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop Daniel Thomas, who chairs the bishops' pro-life activities committee, urged the faithful to "join a united effort of prayer and action to stop the spread of abortion pills." Activists have criticized the mailing of abortion pills, calling the practice dangerous and largely unregulated.

Legal context and court setback

In May, pro-life advocates suffered a setback when the US Supreme Court temporarily allowed abortion pills to be mailed nationwide, amid a legal dispute over the practice. In a letter dated August 18, the bishops wrote: "Every abortion involves the death of a child and harm to the mother." They said easier access to abortion pills has led to a tragic rise in the abortion rate and to greater health risks for women.

Criticism of the FDA

The bishops criticized the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for having "fueled a nationwide mail-order abortion industry" by allowing abortion pills to be prescribed in telemedicine appointments and sold in local pharmacies and online, bypassing state laws that protect life in the womb.

The lack of federal regulation, they warned, leaves women "vulnerable to undergoing an abortion alone at home, without medical supervision," and "creates additional opportunities for exploitation by violent partners or human traffickers."

Call to action

The bishops urged Catholics to visit the website of the USCCB's Respect Life campaign, where they can "learn about the danger of abortion pills" and "send messages to the pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies involved" in the practice.