What does Sanctity of Human Life mean?

Sanctity is a word you don’t often hear in conversation today. What does it mean? Merriam-Webster dictionary (1) defines sanctity as “holiness of life and character: Godliness” and “the quality or state of being holy or sacred: inviolability.” Sanctity of Human Life Day honors all lives, including unborn lives, as precious.
 
Is human life sacred and inviolable? The Declaration of Independence of the United States (2) lists Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness as our unalienable rights. These are rights endowed by our almighty creator. They’re human rights, given to all American people, including unborn babies. Abortion ignores those rights and takes innocent lives.

The pro-life movement in this country works to uphold the dignity of every human life. Abortion is the greatest moral tragedy of our day. While legalized abortion exists in our nation, many states are enacting anti-abortion laws. The 2022 landmark pro-life rule by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade decision is a pro-life victory. It supports the dignity of every human being and the sanctity of each human life. 

Obria Medical Clinics Oregon is a pregnancy care center (and a licensed medical clinic). We celebrate the precious gift of human life. We provide services and resources to navigate the challenges of unplanned pregnancy. Everything is free to the young women who seek our help. We need your support to help more women with unexpected pregnancies. Please help us save their unborn children.

Who started National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and Why?

In 1984, on the 11th anniversary of Roe v Wade, President Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation. He designated the third Sunday of January as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (3). In the text of the proclamation, President Reagan stated, 

“We have been given the precious gift of human life…It is fitting, then, on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v Wade that struck down State anti-abortion laws, that we reflect anew on these blessings, and on our corresponding responsibility to guard with care the lives and freedoms of even the weakest of our fellow human beings… Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday, January 22, 1984, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon the citizens of this blessed land to gather in homes and places of worship to give thanks for the gift of life and to reaffirm our commitment to the dignity of every human being and the sanctity of each human life.” 

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday – Today.

President Donald J. Trump was the last president to proclaim a National Sanctity of Life Sunday.
The pro-life community will celebrate the sacred gift of human life on National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. January 22, 2023, is exactly 50 years after Roe v Wade passed. Community celebrations might include an annual church event, sanctity of human life service, walk for life, pro-life movie screening, or prayer vigil. 

Obria Medical Clinics Oregon is a resource for finding these local events.