What We Believe
By Ray Ross
I thought this month it might make sense to do a recap of beliefs and principles held by those of us who Respect Life:
- We oppose abortion and believe that not only is it a violation of God’s command ‘thou shalt not kill’, but also that the right to life is a fundamental right endowed by our Creator.
Concern: Despite Dobbs, there were 1,124,000 abortions in the U.S. last year. In women ages 15-44 the abortion rate was 16.7 per 1000 women in 2025.
- We believe in the value of the Sacrament of Marriage.
Concern: Today’s overwhelming acceptance of co-habitation keeps couples away from Mass and the Eucharist. Recent studies say there is a 48% greater rate of divorce for couples that live together before they are engaged.
- We support the nuclear family and, most importantly, mothers who make the decision to have their child.
Concern: We oppose today’s norm of delaying the decision to have children until material goals are satisfied - $100,000+ wedding, career, home ownership, pool, 2 cars, dog etc. By age 36 a woman has lost 90-95% of her egg supply and by age 40 95-99% of her egg supply.
Concern: The U.S. fertility rate fell in 2025 to 53.1 per 1000 women ages 15-44. The lowest rate ever recorded.
- We believe a marriage is between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9.)
Concern: Pope Leo’s approval of an informal blessing of same sex marriages. No word salad, please. A blessing is a blessing.
- We oppose sex trafficking of children and women and pedophilia.
Concern: The bishops and Catholic Charities support for illegal immigration which included trafficked women, children and drugs and billions in payments to Catholic Charities and the bishops.