Larry’s Letter: Join Catholic Charities in the fight for life

It’s been 45 years since the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. In that time, we’ve had a non-stop political and cultural battle, with tens of millions of lives lost and damaged. We need to recognize that this is also an economic battle. Look at analysis from the Guttmacher Institute, based on surveys in 2004 and 1987 of women who sought abortions. The vast majority gave as reasons that a baby would “dramatically change” their lives and also that they “can’t afford a baby now,” as well as other complications in their lives. So they end up at an abortion clinic.

At Catholic Charities, we addressed this by creating Marisol Services and its continuum of care, providing medical care and social services to women in need, particularly those who are pregnant and vulnerable to abortion. Since we launched Marisol Health medical centers in July 2016, we have served 1,521 individuals. That includes 550 clients with unexpected pregnancies, with 284 women having received, or still receiving, prenatal care. We estimate 133 babies were born to clients in the first year.

The accompanying graphic shows the Continuum of Care. It includes Marisol Health, Marisol Homes, Marisol Services and Gabriel House. Also available are Archdiocesan Housing, Counseling Services, Emergency Assistance and Victim’s Assistance. All these resources are available to those in need, yet we must serve the “poorest of the poor,” which is a mother contemplating aborting her child. We need to reach every single woman in a crisis pregnancy in northern Colorado. You can participate as a volunteer, as a prayer warrior and as a financial supporter of Marisol Services — and with all of the ministries of Catholic Charities. I invite you to learn more at ccdenver.org and continue this fight for life.

This column is revised and updated from Larry’s remarks at the Beacon of Hope Gala on Jan. 27, 2018.

God Bless,

Larry Smith
President and CEO of Catholic Charities