The Pro-Life Movement in Missouri at the 25th Anniversary of Evangelium Vitae

On March 25, 2020, the Church celebrates the 25th anniversary of the papal encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), written by Pope St. John Paul II. The encyclical, which calls all of us to promote a culture of life, continues to address present-day challenges to life including abortion, contraception, capital punishment, and euthanasia. As we approach this anniversary, we can see the impact that the pro-life movement in Missouri has had in establishing a culture of life in the state.

As we reported in January, a preliminary report from the Department of Health and Senior Services showed that abortions in Missouri had dropped by around fifty percent from 2018 to 2019. While we await the final numbers for 2019, a report last week indicated that abortions have "virtually halted" at the last active abortion clinic in Missouri. In a report to NPR, Planned Parenthood indicated that only three abortions were conducted at Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region in February. That number was down from 174 abortions conducted in February of 2019. 

However, as the article points out, some Missouri women are now going into Illinois for their abortions, as that state has fewer pro-life protections. So while we should celebrate the dramatic decrease in abortions in the state, we must continue to, as Pope St. John Paul II reminded us 25 year ago, "offer this world of ours new signs of hope, and work to ensure that justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilization of truth and love."