Pro-Life World View | June 6, 2025

Departure of Archbishop Paglia marks end of turbulent chapter at John Paul II Institute

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Cardinal Baldassare Reina as the new Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences. His appointment replaces that of the controversial Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, who has held the position since 2016.  Not much is known about Cardinal Reina’s thoughts on life and family issues. However, it is reported that he once encouraged a seminarian to receive help to overcome his same-sex attraction.  Under Archbishop Paglia, the JPII Institute underwent damaging changes in structure and personnel.  Pentin chronicles these changes and the fallout in his article.

It is hopeful news to witness this change so early on in the pontificate of Leo XIV. Let us pray for Cardinal Reina in his new appointment that he will reform the Institute so that marriage and the family will be boldly celebrated, supported, and upheld as the sanctuary of life and love that God intended them to be.

Pope appoints Archbishop Paglia’s right-hand man as President of Pontifical Academy for Life

Following the retirement of Archbishop Paglia, Pope Leo has appointed Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro as president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.  Msgr. Pegoraro worked closely with Archbishop Paglia, and it appears that this appointment signals continuity with the changes implemented under his tenure.  Msgr. Pegoraro has voiced several concerning opinions regarding life and family issues, including: 

1. Suggesting it may be permissible for married couples to use contraception in certain circumstances.
2. Lending support to two Academy for Life members who proposed publicly that assisted suicide ought to be supported to stop the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia.

Founded in 1994 by Saint Pope John Paul II and Professor Jerome Lejeune, the Academy was a strong Catholic voice in defence of human life from conception through to natural death.  However, under Archbishop Paglia, significant changes were made, and members have been appointed who are pro-abortion concerning much of the global pro-life movement.  Edward Pentin discusses the recent history of the Academy for Life under Archbishop Paglia and Msgr. Pegoraro’s comments in this must-read article.  Let us pray for Msgr. Pegoraro, that he will return the Academy for Life to the strong bastion of truth and facilitator of robust bioethical thought in accord with Catholic moral teaching.

Georgia attorney general: LIFE Act doesn’t require keeping pregnant brain-dead woman alive

The tragic case of a pregnant mother declared brain dead in the US state of Georgia has sparked a vehement attack on the so-called Heartbeat Law in that State, with pro-abortion activists calling the law “inhumane.”

Adriana Smith was admitted to the hospital in February with several blood clots on her brain and was declared brain dead.  At that time, she was nine weeks pregnant.  Smith has been kept on a ventilator in order that her pre-born child might reach viability and have a chance of life outside of the womb.

Georgia’s “Heartbeat Act” bans direct abortion once the pre-born child’s heartbeat can be detected.  Removing life-support from the pregnant mother does not constitute a direct abortion; therefore, the Act does not apply.  Instead, it is posited that the Advance Directive for Health Care Act is likely governing the case.  That state law requires particular life-sustaining interventions cannot be withdrawn if a pre-born child is considered viable.

Vermont amends law, allows pregnancy centers to resume life-affirming work

Pregnancy centres in Vermont, USA, are once again free to advertise their services and only support life-affirming pregnancy options without hindrance from the law.  Since 2023, centres that did not refer to or provide abortions could be fined up to $10,000 for “misleading” advertising.  Only pro-life centres were targeted.  Family Life International believes that all pregnant mothers should have access to high-quality information about their pregnancy options, including the harm that abortion will cause both her and her pre-born child.  Assisting a mother to have an abortion should never be a requirement of anyone, pregnancy centres, counselling, or medical staff.

French scientist Etienne-Emile Baulieu, inventor of the abortion pill, dies at 98

The man who has the blood of an astronomical number of pre-born lives on his hands has died.  Etienne-Emile Baulieu pioneered RU-486, what is now colloquially known as the “abortion pill”, in 1982.  The drug was highly contested at first but is now increasingly available online and over the phone in many countries throughout the world.  Its use surpasses surgical abortions in many Western countries, including New Zealand.  Recently, a study was published detailing the increase in serious adverse events, including death, in women who have taken the abortion pill.  In charity, we must pray for the soul of Mr Baulieu.

Pope Leo XIV: Marriage ‘not an ideal but the measure of true love between a man and a woman’

At a Mass for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly, Pope Leo reaffirmed the importance and role of the family, saying, “Families are the cradle of the future of humanity.”  The newly appointed Pontiff pointed out that “marriage is not an ideal” but rather “the measure of true love between a man and a woman: a love that is total, faithful and fruitful.”  The statement reflects not only the perennial teaching of the Church on marriage but also is a nod to Paul VI’s encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae, on marriage and openness to the gift of life.  Pope Leo invited participants to think about the many married couples who have been canonized in recent times:

“By pointing to them as exemplary witnesses of married life, the Church tells us that today’s world needs the marriage covenant in order to know and accept God’s love and to defeat, thanks to its unifying and reconciling power, the forces that break down relationships and societies.”