The pro-life movement must prioritize faith and cultural transformation over political alignment to create a lasting culture of life.

When people think of the pro-life movement, they often picture massive rallies, political debates, and legal battles. While those things matter, I’ve come to believe that true cultural transformation happens in the everyday, personal encounters we have with one another. The most effective pro-life movement is not just one that changes laws but one that changes hearts.

I see the movement as a hierarchy of influence, where leadership provides guidance, but personal relationships ultimately determine the culture. This isn’t just a strategic approach—it’s deeply rooted in Catholic social teaching. The Church teaches that moral authority comes from God and is mediated through the Church hierarchy, but the lived reality of faith is carried out by the laity in the world. The same is true for the pro-life cause.

A Disturbing Shift in Priorities?

Recently, I noticed something telling at the March for Life. The event began not with prayer, but with the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Only after this display of patriotism did Archbishop Naumann offer the opening prayer.

This ordering might seem insignificant at first glance, but I find it deeply concerning. Shouldn’t a movement fundamentally rooted in faith begin with an appeal to God? The pro-life cause, at its core, is not about nationalism or political identity—it is about upholding the dignity of every human being as a reflection of the divine. Now, by prioritizing patriotic symbols over prayer, we risk reducing the movement to just another political or cultural battle, rather than a spiritual and moral mission.

Looking at the breakdown of the March for Life event schedule, this theme becomes even clearer:

Notice how faith and prayer—arguably the spiritual heart of the movement—are relatively minor in the program (15% combined). Meanwhile, political advocacy and personal testimonials take up the bulk of the event.

When Vice President JD Vance declared,“I want more babies in America,”people reacted as if he had just rediscovered fire. Cheers, applause, maybe even a few tears of patriotic joy.

This reveals a subtle but dangerous shift: the pro-life movement is becoming increasingly political rather than evangelistic. There is nothing wrong with political engagement; in fact, it’s necessary. But if we want to create a true culture of life, we must ensure that faith remains central—not secondary—to our mission.

The Church: Our Moral and Theological Foundation

At the top of this hierarchy is the Catholic Church itself. Without the Church’s moral and theological teaching, the pro-life movement would lack a firm foundation. It’s the Church that articulates the dignity of every human person, from conception to natural death. Encyclicals like Evangelium Vitae lay out the case for life, while bishops and priests provide spiritual leadership. The Church also engages in public discourse, reminding the world that abortion isn’t just a political issue but a fundamental moral crisis.

Still, as crucial as this leadership is, it’s not enough on its own. The Church can teach and guide, but it’s up to the faithful to put those teachings into action.

The Public Face of the Movement: Advocacy and Social Programs

Right below the Church, we find major pro-life organizations like the March for Life and National Right to Life. These groups are indispensable. They organize demonstrations, lobby lawmakers, and influence the media narrative. Without them, the pro-life cause would struggle to gain public traction.

But even political victories are not enough. Take the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022—it was a historic win, but within months, many states moved to expand abortion access. Why? Because laws follow culture. If people don’t truly believe in the dignity of life, they will find ways to keep abortion legal, no matter what the courts decide.

That’s why social programs and crisis pregnancy centers play a crucial role. Groups like Rachel’s Vineyard (which offers post-abortion healing) and pregnancy resource centers don’t just argue against abortion; they offer tangible support to women in crisis. When a mother is scared and alone, it’s not a slogan or a law that will change her mind—it’s knowing that she has real help, whether through financial assistance, adoption, or simply a compassionate community that will walk with her.

Bottom-Up Transformation: The Key to a Lasting Pro-Life Culture

The mistake we often make is thinking that political victories will solve everything. The truth is, if the culture doesn’t change, laws will always be fragile. That’s why the bottom levels of this hierarchy—the activists, influencers, and everyday people—are so essential.

The most effective pro-life movement isn’t just one that protests or lobbies lawmakers. It’s one that transforms hearts. That transformation doesn’t start at the top; it starts in our own relationships, our own communities, and our own willingness to accompany those in need.

But for that to happen, we must keep first things first. If the pro-life movement becomes just another political faction, we will fail to convert the culture. We must remain, above all, a people of faith, prayer, and love. Otherwise, we risk losing the very soul of the movement we seek to build.