"In November 2008," says the USCCB "Pro-Life Activities" website, "the full body of bishops voted unanimously to mobilize the resources of the USCCB, dioceses and the entire Catholic community to:

  • retain current pro-life laws and policies, and
  • oppose the federal funding and promotion of abortion, including the so-called 'Freedom of Choice Act' (FOCA) or any similar pro-abortion measure."

This initiative is called the "National Pro-Life Postcard Campaign to Congress" -- but the title bar of the browser calls it the "National 'Fight FOCA' Postcard Campaign to Congress." FOCA is the rallying cry, and many Catholics who hardly know what FOCA is know they're supposed to be praying that it fails.Today is an excellent day to join others in prayer for the protection of human life. But is FOCA as much of a threat as its most vocal opponents -- and supporters -- suggest? In the forthcoming issue of Commonweal, Cathleen Kaveny takes a close look at the bill's text and the legal circumstances that surround it. You can read the article online now.*In his Inaugural address, President Obama said: "For as much as government can do, and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. ...It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child that finally decides our fate." He also said, "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task." So, today, I am praying that -- with God's grace and with the help of the Church -- more expectant parents will find that courage and seize that responsibility.

Mollie Wilson O’​Reilly is editor-at-large and columnist at Commonweal.

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