"Walking with Moms" -- pro-life and pro-justice

This story about “Walking with Moms in Need,” which enlists Catholic parishes in service to women with crisis pregnancies and to young families in difficulty, was a joy to write.

The year-long project from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops launched on March 25, just as the COVID-19 pandemic shut most Catholic churches. My story examines how dioceses across the nation have responded. Many have delayed “Walking with Mons,” some for a full year while others will launch in October for Respect Life Month. Some dioceses moved ahead despite many obstacles, adapting the program to the conditions of the pandemic.

The initiative calls for parishes to inventory local resources for pregnant women and young families, reach out in friendship to those who are marginalized, identify unmet needs, create solutions, and make sure parishioners know where to direct women and families in need.

“It’s the sort of thing everyone can get behind because it’s something that unites us,” said Kat Talalas, assistant director of pro-life communications at the bishops’ conference. “We love all people, we care for the vulnerable. It brings people together and helps us focus on something really important, regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of personal ideology.”

“Walking with Moms” can make a live-saving, life-changing difference for countless women, children and families. It can unite volunteers who are otherwise divided by politics, worldview or theology. “Walking with Moms” is pro-life and pro-justice – two ideals that are merely different words for the same call to solidarity and the common good.