Our guest writer this week is Rachel Nunley, a Virginia native and a Library Science (MS-LS) graduate student at the University of North Texas. She is currently doing her practicum at Special Collections in the Spring 2025 Semester.

The USCCB Pro-Life Collection, housed at the Catholic University of America, Special Collections, provides a unique look into the Catholic Church’s involvement in pro-life advocacy. Covering the years from 1940 to 1991, this collection documents the Church’s legal, social, and pastoral efforts surrounding one of the most debated topics in modern history. Through a variety of records—including correspondence, court case files, legislative documents, committee meeting notes, and pro-life campaign materials—researchers can explore how the Church engaged with political and social movements concerning abortion.

The USCCB Pro-Life Collection consists of five boxes (6 linear feet) filled with correspondence, court case files, legislative documents, committee meeting notes, and pro-life campaign materials. It is divided into five series: Series 1: Population & Divorce, Series 2: Pre-Roe v. Wade Court Cases, Series 3: Pastoral Plan, Series 4: Mailings to Coordinators, and Series 5: Certification Project. This collection is a firsthand account of how the Catholic Church shaped and responded to one of the most divisive issues in American history. It gives researchers an inside look at how the Church influenced laws, supported pro-life activists, and navigated cultural shifts over several decades. One of the most compelling parts of the collection is how it highlights how faith, policy, and activism often intersect. The materials do not just reflect the official stance of the Church but also include grassroots efforts, legal battles, and political discourse that shaped the national conversation on abortion. These records show how abortion debates extended beyond religious contexts, influencing legislation, court rulings, and political campaigns.

One of the most fascinating parts of this collection is the Pre-Roe v. Wade Court Cases series, which includes legal records from multiple states. These documents reveal the legal strategies pro-life advocates used before abortion was legalized nationwide. The Pastoral Plan series is also rich in history, showing how the Church organized its response to abortion and built a movement that extended beyond the political arena. Like many historical collections, the USCCB Pro-Life Collection comes with some preservation challenges. One thing that I noticed the most was fragile and acidic paper. Some of the older documents, particularly from Box 1, are brittle and delicate. This hands-on experience has deepened my understanding of archival preservation techniques and the importance of maintaining historical records for future accessibility. By preserving these materials, we’re keeping a vital part of history alive—not just for scholars and researchers, but for anyone who wants to understand the evolution of the pro-life movement. The pro-life versus pro-choice politics are still very much a part of our country, so having access to materials such as this one can help us understand history.

As a practicum student working with this collection, I have had the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in processing archival materials. One of my primary responsibilities has been organizing and describing the contents of the collection to ensure they are accessible to researchers. This work has allowed me to see how archival materials come together to form a historical narrative and how institutions like the Catholic University of America work to preserve documents that contribute to ongoing scholarly discussions. It’s been an invaluable experience to work with materials that have shaped debates and decisions. Especially because this is still such a hot topic today. Beyond the technical aspects of archival work, this practicum has given me insight into how archival collections support historical research. The USCCB Pro-Life Collection offers scholars, students, and historians a comprehensive look at how one of the most significant moral debates in American history unfolded within the Catholic Church.

If you’re interested in exploring the USCCB Pro-Life Collection, please see the online finding aid, and/or you can visit the Catholic University of America Special Collections by appointment.  For more information, you can reach out via lib-archives@cua.edu. Special thank you to Alexis Howlett for scanning the two pamphlets.