June 24, 2022: Today’s U.S. Supreme Court Ruling
Dear Loyola Community,
Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade. We acknowledge that many are feeling frightened or vulnerable, and are concerned that they must stand alone in facing the future. I assure you—that is not the case. In this significant moment for our country, we call for compassion, thoughtfulness, and respect regardless of personal position.
As a university, Loyola University Chicago supports the rights of members of our community to express their opinions and perspectives as we advocate modeling civil discourse and robust, respectful debate. True to our mission as a leading Jesuit, Catholic university, we strongly believe that such discourse and dialogue advances education, engagement, and understanding and is a hallmark of the intellectual vitality and social awareness of our community. Particularly during times of uncertainty and division, universities such as ours must create opportunities for and be models of civil discourse and constructive debate within our society, where all viewpoints can be shared and respected.
We reaffirm and embrace our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity. In Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis reminds us that “our defense of the innocent unborn... needs to be clear, firm, and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development.”
The Pope also clearly affirms that the lives of all those marginalized by poverty, illness, and vulnerability are “equally sacred.” As a Jesuit, Catholic university, our mission and identity call and inspire us to respond with renewed passion and resolve to advance health equity and combat the racial, social, and economic injustices that all too often place an unbearable burden on mothers and their children. Protecting the rights of the unborn is not enough if we fail them in life.
We resolutely believe that the most fundamental building block of a just social order is respect for the dignity of all human life. And we must work together to build a culture that protects all people from forces that diminish and undermine that dignity, from violence to racism, xenophobia, and growing inequality.
In the coming days, I urge you to practice cura personalis—care for yourselves and for each other—that is so distinctive within our Loyola community. The pursuit of justice requires us to be united in striving toward a better world for everyone, everywhere.
Sincerely,
Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD
President
Dear Loyola Community,
Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade. We acknowledge that many are feeling frightened or vulnerable, and are concerned that they must stand alone in facing the future. I assure you—that is not the case. In this significant moment for our country, we call for compassion, thoughtfulness, and respect regardless of personal position.
As a university, Loyola University Chicago supports the rights of members of our community to express their opinions and perspectives as we advocate modeling civil discourse and robust, respectful debate. True to our mission as a leading Jesuit, Catholic university, we strongly believe that such discourse and dialogue advances education, engagement, and understanding and is a hallmark of the intellectual vitality and social awareness of our community. Particularly during times of uncertainty and division, universities such as ours must create opportunities for and be models of civil discourse and constructive debate within our society, where all viewpoints can be shared and respected.
We reaffirm and embrace our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity. In Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis reminds us that “our defense of the innocent unborn... needs to be clear, firm, and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development.”
The Pope also clearly affirms that the lives of all those marginalized by poverty, illness, and vulnerability are “equally sacred.” As a Jesuit, Catholic university, our mission and identity call and inspire us to respond with renewed passion and resolve to advance health equity and combat the racial, social, and economic injustices that all too often place an unbearable burden on mothers and their children. Protecting the rights of the unborn is not enough if we fail them in life.
We resolutely believe that the most fundamental building block of a just social order is respect for the dignity of all human life. And we must work together to build a culture that protects all people from forces that diminish and undermine that dignity, from violence to racism, xenophobia, and growing inequality.
In the coming days, I urge you to practice cura personalis—care for yourselves and for each other—that is so distinctive within our Loyola community. The pursuit of justice requires us to be united in striving toward a better world for everyone, everywhere.
Sincerely,
Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD
President