U.S. bishops celebrate pro-life pregnancy centers for Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed gratitude for pregnancy resource centers in a statement released Oct. 27. The bishops are marking Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week, which is scheduled for Nov. 9–13.

Bishop Daniel Thomas, chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said the centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies provide services to women, babies, and families. He noted that many centers offer free medical services such as ultrasounds, prenatal and postnatal care, and referrals for childbirth. These organizations also provide material goods like diapers and clothing, as well as childcare, career services, and housing referrals.

Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week was established by Heartbeat International, a network of pregnancy centers. According to a November report from the Charlotte Lozier Institute, pro-life pregnancy resource centers provided more than $452 million in medical care, education, and material support to women in crisis pregnancies and mothers with young children in 2024. The bishops' statement noted there are approximately 2,750 such centers.