Summit to focus on life post Roe v. Wade

Optimism appears to be building among pro-life supporters that perhaps as early as June the U.S. Supreme Court will hand down a decision overturning Roe v Wade, the 1973 landmark case legalizing abortion.

In anticipation of a favorable decision, the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Louisiana Right to Life are co-sponsoring a Post Roe Louisiana Summit on June 3-4 at Bethany Church in Baton Rouge. The summit will include a prayer vigil at Delta Women’s Clinic in Baton Rouge on June 3 and June 4 will feature a prayer breakfast followed by workshops where supporters will be educated on how to reach out to women going through unplanned pregnancies in a post-Roe world.

“We are hoping that Roe is overturned and there will be a lot fewer abortions, which means a lot more women in need with unplanned pregnancies,” said Randall Waguespack, director of Life, Peace and Justice for the diocese. “So the hope is we can start preparing our communities as well as the diocese and the church to be able to support women with unplanned pregnancies.”

Louisiana Right to Life Director of Education Alex Seghers said the summit is intended to gather pro-life leaders, ministers, organizers and activists in prayer, education, discussion, planning and unity ahead of what could be a monumental Supreme Court decision. Conference sessions will highlight the need for church involvement and also include topics people need to learn and discuss leading up the court’s decision.

“In Louisiana it’s going to make it a lot more difficult to obtain an abortion.” 

Randall Waguespack

Director of Life, Peace and Justice for the Diocese of Baton Rouge

“Legislatively and constitutionally, Louisiana is ready to become completely abortion-free once Roe v. Wade is overturned,” Seghers said. “Yet, we know that becoming truly abortion-free results in both legal protection for the unborn and a huge cultural shift to welcoming, protecting and caring for babies and their mothers. Louisiana needs to be ultimately prepared for a post-Roe reality now even if Roe v. Wade is not overturned.”

Waguespack said the summit is geared toward respect life ministers at the parish and will hopefully the parish staff. His vision is for parish staff members to be able to connect a woman going through an unplanned pregnancy with available resources. 

Waguespack said having the diocese involved as a co-sponsor with LARTL is wise because both agencies share the common goal of supporting life and saving lives. 

“In Louisiana it’s going to make it a lot more difficult to obtain an abortion,” Waguespack said. “We’re hoping we can catch women looking for answers and help them to make other choices to keep the child (or connect them with) or help them find a good family for adoption.”

He said the impact of Roe being overturned will vary by state but because Louisiana has already enacted stringent anti-abortion laws, women would have to go elsewhere. In fact, he and Seghers agree that in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned the nearest abortion clinic might ultimately be several states away.

“In the Gulf South, Florida may become the nearest abortion hub as they just this year passed a 15-week ban but are not yet legislatively prepared to outlaw abortion, although I’m sure they would work toward it immediately,” Seghers said. “Kansas would also continue to have legal abortion although they are working on it as well as they just passed a pro-life constitutional amendment last year. 

“Colorado and New Mexico would absolutely continue to be open for abortion-business.” 

 People can register for one or all of the events at PostRoeLASummit.com. The Vigil for Life is free, and both the prayer breakfast and conference are $15 per person. 

The deadline to register is Thursday, May 26.