Seton Hall released a statement calling for “mutual respect and compassion” in the wake of the Supreme Court’s overturning of the federal right to an abortion.
Republican-appointed justices on the court, many of them Catholic, orchestrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which declared a right to abortion nationwide in 1973.
“As a diocesan university, we are guided by a commitment to fostering Catholic ideals, principles, and values. The recent decision of the Supreme Court leaves us with much hard work to do as a nation and as a University community of individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives,” University spokesperson Laurie Pine’s statement said. “As we explore this and other crucial issues through civil discourse and honest conversation, we encourage all Setonians to continue demonstrating the mutual respect and compassion that is central to our culture as a community.”
The Univeristy’s statement comes after SHU Survivors, a student organization that advocates for those who have experienced sexual abuse, released its own opinion on the Supreme Court decision.
Erika David, the president of SHU Survivors said that the abortion ruling impacts survivors of sexual violence by taking away bodily agency.
“As a club for survivors, we wanted the Seton Hall community to know that we understand and want to support them if they are feeling fearful, re-traumatized, or paranoid in the wake of this news,” David said.
David said the group, which is University-funded, plans to engage in more advocacy around abortion in the future.
After the overturning of Roe was announced, locals flocked to South Orange’s Spiotta Park for a protest led by the New Jersey ACLU.
Abortion will remain legal in New Jersey, where legislative Democrats passed a law protecting abortion access in anticipation of the SCOTUS ruling.
Daniel O'Connor can be reached at daniel.oconnor1@student.shu.edu. Find him on Twitter @itsDanOConnor.
