Skip to content
Home » News » Pro-Life This Week – October 3, 2025

Pro-Life This Week – October 3, 2025

Action Alert: National Rosary Rally in DC

Join pro-lifers in Washington, DC, on Sunday, October 5th at 2pm ET for The National Eucharistic Procession, National Rosary Rally, and Rosary Coast to Coast.  

Visit Rosary Coast to Coast to find a livestream of the event and also for the NATIONAL MAP where you can register your local rosary event or find a rosary event near you.

You can also view a short information video on the event here.

We hope to see you in Washington, DC!

Week in Review

After Pressure Mounts from Catholic Bishops, Sen. Durbin Declines Catholic Award

After mounting pressure from more than 10 US Catholic bishops, and even a statement from Pope Leo XIV, Sen. Dick Durbin has announced that he will decline a “Lifetime Achievement Award” presented by Cardinal Cupich. 

Outrage ensued from Catholics and pro-lifers alike after it was announced that Durbin, who is vocally pro-abortion and was even denied Communion in his own diocese, would be receiving a Catholic award from the Archdioceses of Chicago. 

In last week’s issue of Pro-Life This Week, we included many statements from bishops calling for the award to be rescinded. Following our newsletter, statements were made by Bishop Joseph F. Naumann, Bishop James V. Johnston Jr., and Bishop Carl Kemme condemning the award. 

This week, prompted by a question on the situation from EWTN, Pope Leo XIV commented on the situation stating in part: 

I understand the difficulty and the tensions. But I think as I myself have spoken in the past, it’s important to look at many issues that are related to the teachings of the Church. 

Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life. . . . Someone who says I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro-life.

His comments have received mixed feedback from Catholics, with many stating that the answer was not as firm or finite as it could have been. 

Following the pope’s statement and the criticism from his fellow bishops, Cardinal Cupich then announced on September 30 that Sen. Durbin had declined to accept the award.

The announcement should be celebrated by pro-lifers. In an email to supporters, Judie Brown stated, “Your voice matters. And your voice and prayers do make a difference.” 

American Life League called on its many supporters to contact Cardinal Cupich’s office to express respectful disagreement with the decision. The response was overwhelming, and it was reported to ALL by a supporter that the archdiocese temporarily disabled that email address. 

“There is so much work to do,” said Judie. “Today we thank you, and we breathe a sigh of relief. But we must never relent.”

Little-Known Court Case Could Bankrupt Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is facing a potentially devastating Medicaid fraud case that could leave it with a bill of up to $1.8 billion.

Oral arguments for US ex rel. Doe v. Planned Parenthood were made in court on September 25, 2025, but this case has been brewing for a decade. In 2015, pro-life activist David Daleiden exposed Planned Parenthood’s baby body parts business. His 30-month investigation captured top PP employees discussing which aborted baby body parts were in demand, how they could obtain them, and what they wanted in compensation. 

The public was rightfully horrified. As PP and its powerful allies (including Kamala Harris—California’s attorney general at the time) began damage control, Texas and Louisiana barred the abortion organization from receiving Medicaid reimbursements.

Planned Parenthood sued the states and won an initial injunction that allowed it to continue receiving reimbursements. While the case was in litigation, PP continued collecting Medicaid repayments, even though it knew that it would have to return the funds if the decision were reversed on appeal. And that’s exactly what happened.

Now, an anonymous person is suing PP for these taxpayer funds on behalf of Louisiana and Texas. The abortion giant claims that it has immunity from the repayments because it was only following its legal team’s advice. The US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit will decide if that defense holds.

If Planned Parenthood is found liable, it could owe up to three times the amount of actual damages, plus penalties, legal fees, and interest—an amount totaling up to $1.8 billion.

After decades of unchecked destruction, Planned Parenthood may finally get its due. We pray that this lawsuit will be the final nail in its bloody coffin.

ALL in the News

The bimonthly Wednesday STOPP Report was published this week. Catch up on the latest issue here.

Susan Ciancio, editor of Celebrate Life Magazine and director of the Culture of Life Studies Program, penned an article about a 22-year-old college student and his pro-life bumper sticker initiative. The article was published by LifeSiteNews.She also wrote an article explaining how parents can use materials from the Culture of Life Studies Program to create a pro-life family. It was published on Catholic365.

Susan was a recent guest on pro-life radio programs From the Median and Ave Maria Radio. She joined each show to promote the 2025 Pro-Life Essay Contest, which is the largest pro-life essay contest in the nation! The contest is open to 3rd-12th graders now through November 7. Visit prolifeessay.com for all the details!

ALL national director Katie Brown Xavios regularly posts updates about American Life League and its important work on social media channels X and LinkedIn. Follow her accounts to stay up to date. 

Twice a week, Judie’s commentaries are distributed to an expansive media list. The list contains over 100 media outlets such as Fox News, The Federalist, Breitbart, and The Daily Caller, among others. Judie’s commentaries are each featured on the front page of ALL.org. 

Pro-Life Education

Culture of Life Studies Program

All Shapes and Sizes: Learning about the Beauty and Dignity of People with Disabilities and Other Challenges helps students understand that every human being has value because we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Our value does not depend on our appearance, ability, or background. To show children the beauty of the human person from creation until death, this 4-week unit study examines Down syndrome, autism, the beauty of the elderly, and the fact that it’s okay to be different. Now on SALE for more than half off as we celebrate Respect Life Month! ORDER HERE

ALL’s Education Materials

Angel of Life Lapel Pin: With this beautiful pin that will enhance the look of every outfit, you can show the world that you believe that angels protect the babies who did not have protection here on earth. And it may even generate some great conversations! SHOP NOW

Pro-Life Social Media

Video Flashback: Fungibility and Planned Parenthood Funding

Government “shutdowns” come with nearly every presidency. The current showdown between Democrats and Republicans concerns federal funding of Medicaid programs in states that fund medical benefits for non-citizens. States are free to spend their own funds on whomever they choose. Republicans in Washington don’t want to feed those programs because money is fungible.

This reminds us that Planned Parenthood claims its use of Medicaid dollars doesn’t fund the killing of preborn children. It’s a ridiculous claim. Medicaid reimbursements for services other than preborn child murder enrich Planned Parenthood and allow it to grow its abortion business. We explained this back in 2011: