Editorial from Paul Propson, CEO of CCSE MI
- Mon, Oct 24, 2022 9:51 AM
An excerpt from an Op-Ed featured in Detroit Catholic on October 19th written by Paul Propson, CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan.
To defeat Proposal 3, Catholics must help mothers cherish life - Detroit Catholic
The Catholic Church in Michigan advocates strongly against this destructive proposal. All seven Catholic bishops of Michigan have emphatically urged the faithful to vote "no" on Proposal 3 and have further encouraged us to share its potentially devastating implications with others. Put simply: Proposal 3 ignores the will of the people and would impose upon us unregulated abortion — performed anywhere, at any time, by any person, for any reason.
It is within this context that I am humbled to serve as CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (CCSEM), part of a team of people at CCSEM and in the Archdiocese of Detroit working day and night to help pregnant women care for and protect their children before, during, and after birth. I take to heart what Archbishop Vigneron has said: “We cannot create a world where abortion is unthinkable without also creating a world in which all families receive the support they need. This work of mercy is critical and continuous.”
In accordance with the Archbishop’s words, the critical work of CCSEM does not hinge upon the result of the Nov. 8 election — or any election. Whether Proposal 3 is accepted or rejected, women in Michigan will continue to face tremendous barriers to choosing life. Many of these women will hear ominous whispers promising that everything in their lives will be easier if they take a pill or visit a clinic to remove the “clump of cells” that grows inside them. Our job at CCSEM is to love and serve all women and families who come to us, helping them see these lies for what they are. We do not judge, but rather we offer real support and care.
One key avenue through which we assist women is Walking With Moms in Need, a partnership between CCSEM and the Archdiocese of Detroit that equips and assists Catholic parishes and parishioners in raising awareness about resources available to pregnant and parenting moms in need. The initiative seeks to make each parish in the archdiocese a place where mothers and their babies are welcomed and supported — where the dignity of every human life is upheld and valued.
Walking With Moms in Need is a way for every Catholic to help every mom see the baby in her womb as a gift to be treasured, protected, and loved rather than as a threat to her autonomy. By helping women access medical care, baby formula, diapers, housing, and the support network of a caring community, Catholics affirm the gift of every human life and empower women to choose life for their babies.