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The Supreme Court hears arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization began Dec. 1, 2021, and Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, held several events to mark the event.
“We want to be the pro-life college in America,” said President Stephen D. Minnis, “so this was a historic event for us.” He noted that the college has traditionally been the organization that brings the most people from furthest away to the Washington, D.C., March for Life — a tradition started by Minnesota Bishop Andrew Cozzens when he was a student at the college.
The issue before the court is whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.
The college marked the event in several ways:
All-Night Adoration. The college participated with St. Benedict Catholic Parish for All-night Adoration on campus between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Students participating in the event were in the chapel at all hours of the night. Above, Eucharistic Benediction by Benedictine College alum Father Jeremy Heppler is aided by the college I.T. director, Deacon Charles Welte, and a student.
Oral Argument Livestream. The Center for Constitutional Liberty livestreamed oral argument from the case on Wednesday, December 1, from 9-11:00 a.m. for students.
President’s Rosary. President Minnis’s weekly rosary with the students of the College was offered for the intention of the Supreme Court and the attorneys arguing before them in the Dobbs case. A contingent of Constitutional Fellows attended.
At the Atchison, Kansas, March for Life, President Minnis explained the college’s pro-life commitment:
“We cannot be silent when over 60 million babies have been killed since Roe v. Wade. We cannot be silent when over half of Americans are against abortion, yet it is still the law of the land. We cannot be silent when for many people abortion is still the answer to their troubles. We cannot be silent when in the first weeks of this administration babies around the world became more at risk because of executive orders issued—especially rescinding the Mexico City order. We cannot be silent when the most dangerous place in America for young people is in their mother’s womb.”
Pro-life speakers on campus this year have included Notre Dame’s Gloria Purvis. She spoke on how Racism is a Life Issue. During the Dobbs hearing before the Supreme Court, she said:
“People told me ‘the other side’ isn’t pro-abortion but rather pro-choice. The ‘other side’ today made it clear they are pro-abortion. They rallied with signs saying ‘abortion is essential’ etc. ‘Choice’ was noticeably absent.”
Over the coming months, the Supreme Court justices will write their opinions and circulate them internally. Recent history suggests that the court will hand down the opinion toward the end of the judicial term in June 2022.
Benedictine College’s mission can Transform Culture in America by modeling community in an age of incivility, spreading faith in an age of hopelessness, and committing to scholarship in a “post-truth” era. We create video and other media content to promote positive messages of faith, hope, and love while Ex Corde Media Fellows program provides students with the tools, experiences, and contacts they need to enter the 21st century media world as effective communicators. Learn about the Ex Corde Media Fellows program.
