Abortions not dropping despite new laws due to out-of-state procedures, pills

A doctor carries mifepristone, the first of two drugs used either in a medication-based abortion or in some miscarriage care protocols, to a patient waiting in an exam room at a women’s clinic in Illinois. Despite the abortion ban in Texas, recent numbers suggest that Texas women and their children continue to fall victim to abortion at pre-2022 rates due to the presence of clinics in neighboring states and illegal provision of chemical abortion pills across state lines. (

OSV News photo/Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters)

HOUSTON — As Catholics approach the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade this month, it is a good time to evaluate what work remains to be done in the cause of protecting human life. Many Texas Catholics mistakenly believe abortion is no longer an issue since the 2022 Dobbs decision outlawed almost all abortions in the state. 

Unfortunately, recent numbers suggest that Texas women and their children continue to fall victim to abortion at pre-2022 rates due to the presence of clinics in neighboring states and illegal provision of chemical abortion pills across state lines.  

Julie Dumalet, director of the Office of Pro-Life Activities for the Archdiocese, said, “Abortion remains a significant problem for Texas families. Although many brick-and-mortar clinics have closed, the abortion industry remains present and has simply gone underground in our state.”   

“As Catholics, we need to improve our messaging to and support for our young people and families: ensuring them that we will be with them to prevent unplanned pregnancies and walk with them through crisis pregnancies,” Dumalet said. We continue to see young Catholic women in post-abortion healing ministries, even after Dobbs. Many say they didn’t feel they could tell their families about their pregnancy, but afterwards wished they’d turned to them for support before making an abortion decision. How can we encourage these family conversations before a decision is made?”

Cynthia Renaudo, MS, LPC, lead facilitator of Project Rachel retreats with the Archdiocese, offers mental and spiritual support for women healing from abortion, with a retreat scheduled for the end of February for those interested in registering. 

“We are seeing an increase in chemical abortion drugs through mail order, which people may think is easy. But the pain can be excruciating, plus they can be alone at home and passing the baby into the toilet,” Renaudo said. “Even once surviving that ordeal, there is no getting past the trauma. It’s something we bury until we deal with it,” she, a survivor of two abortions when she was younger, added.

Also working with Project Rachel is deacon candidate Matt Womack, father of seven children, whose diaconate pastoral assignment is with the Archdiocese’s pro-life office. “It’s really important work. We live in such a throw-away culture, but life is so precious from newborns to the elderly to those without resources,” he said.

With his children ranging from 18 years old to three years old, Womack said he saw his responsibility grow to guide his four daughters and three sons after helping with the retreat and witnessing the damage that abortion does to the child, the mother and family.

“When I got home from the retreat, and we were together at dinner, I told them all that whatever happens, we are there for them. They are loved and have a home, no matter what, and that God loves them,” Womack said.

The children responded, “Aww, Dad, are you ok?” he said. “I couldn’t tell them any specifics of the retreat, bound by confidentiality. But I asked them to be patient, be kind and compassionate in their interactions with others.”

Data gathered by Charlotte Lozier Institute shows that 1.1 million abortions were performed in the formal U.S. health care system from July 2023 to June 2024. Research shows thousands upon thousands of “self-managed” drug-induced abortions occur outside the formal health care system.

Three years after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling overturned Roe v. Wade, Texans make up a big part of out-of-state abortion travel, primarily to New Mexico, which still allows abortions, research shows. According to the Guttmacher Institute, more than 35,000 Texans went to another state to get an abortion in 2023 compared to 2,400 in 2019.

The #WeCount research project with the Society of Family Planning found the number of abortions nationally has stayed fairly consistent from before Dobbs, even as 14 states have banned abortions. But teen pregnancies have shown an uptick for the first time in decades.
Dumalet said, “We need to bring awareness that abortion remains a problem in our communities, and we as a Church need to continue and expand our support for expectant mothers and families.”

In addition to supporting mothers and families through the Gabriel Project and sponsoring retreats for women and men with Project Rachel, the pro-life office is creating a parish workshop to support teens, young adults and families in situations of unplanned pregnancy and encourage good communication, which will be available through Capernaum online early this year.

“The workshop is intended for parishes, pastors, youth ministers and others who can speak to our young people and their parents about the importance of family and the beauty of the call to family,” she said. “We regularly encourage teens to plan for college or a future career. We should encourage similar, frequent discussions about preparing to eventually be a good spouse and a good parent.”

The Archdiocese will offer Rachel’s Vineyard retreats in English and in Spanish in February and April, respectively. Individuals interested in learning about upcoming retreats or other pro-life programming should contact the Office of Pro-Life Activities at 713-741-3443 or visit www.archgh.org/prolife.

In Houston, Jan. 22 Mass and Holy Hour marks National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn

The Archdiocese will observe the National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn on Jan. 22 with a Mass and holy hour at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, located at 6800 Buffalo Speedway in Houston.

Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez will be the principal celebrant for the 6 p.m. Mass, followed by a holy hour. The event invites Catholics to pray for the cause of life, commemorate lives lost to abortion and give thanks for the Dobbs decision. 

Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day in Austin

The annual Texas Rally for Life will take place in Austin on Jan. 24. Thousands of Texans will march to commemorate the reversal of Roe v. Wade and stand for the dignity of every human life. At least eight parishes across the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in different regions are organizing buses for participants. 

Additionally, ahead of the Rally and March for Life, two Masses will be celebrated in thanksgiving for the gift of human life. 

Locations

San José Parish, Austin (2435 Oak Crest Avenue, Austin, TX 78704)
Main Celebrant: Bishop Daniel E. García, Bishop of Austin
Language: Bilingual

St. Louis King of France Parish, Austin (7601 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78757)
Main Celebrant: Bishop Michael J. Sis, Bishop of San Angelo
Language: English. 

After Mass, the Knights of Columbus will be selling lunch for $10, which will include a hamburger, chips, a cookie, and water. For big orders, please contact: [email protected]

Schedule

9 a.m.
Project Rachel Rosary before Liturgy 

10 a.m.
Mass of Thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life

For details or to register, contact your parish and visit www.archgh.org/prolife for a list of parishes participating.