Destigmatizing abortion: Bringing reproductive justice into the conversation

Since the 1960s, Catholic activists — laypeople and clergy alike — have been at the forefront of the anti-abortion movement in the United States. Decades later, abortion remains central to American Catholic life and politics. As access to safe and affordable abortion continues to deteriorate, and Roe v. Wade once again hangs in the balance, it's time for Catholics to reframe the conversation around reproductive justice. This session introduces members to the reproductive justice framework and opens the conversation honestly and compassionately on abortion. We focus on abortion stigma among Catholic communities and test our own biases toward Catholics who terminate pregnancies and those who provide abortion care. In doing so, we begin our multistep process of moving beyond the hierarchy’s draconian stance against abortion and visualizing a church that addresses the harmful ramifications of this position.

This January 19, 2022 event was hosted by Vision Council member Lauren Barbato.