In light of the leaked draft opinion on abortion and Friday's celebration of Our Lady of Fatima, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a call to Catholics to pray and fast.

In accordance with the USCCB's call, the Archdiocese of Detroit wrote a Facebook post.

"On the memorial of Our Lady of Fatima, let us pray for her intercession and guidance as we continue to walk with mothers and families in need, promote alternatives to abortion, and seek to create a culture that values every life," the Archdiocese of Detroit said in the Facebook post.

The USCCB issued its call for prayer and fasting in response to threats made in connection with the leaked draft opinion of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the USCCB reported in a release. The USCCB said that abortion advocates have allegedly threatened to disrupt church services and intimidate certain Supreme Court justices ahead of the official abortion decision.

Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the USCCB, and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities, listed their prayer intentions in the release.

"For our nation, for the integrity of our judicial system, and that all branches of government be dedicated to seeking the common good and protecting the dignity and rights of the human person, from conception to natural death," the archbishops said in the release. "For the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the Supreme Court's final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. For the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who advocate for abortion. For a new commitment to building an America where children are welcomed, cherished, and cared for; where mothers and fathers are encouraged and strengthened; and where marriage and the family are recognized and supported as the true foundations of a healthy and flourishing society. For Our Blessed Mother's intercession and guidance as the Church continues to walk with mothers and families in need, and continues to promote alternatives to abortion, and seeks to create a culture of life."

The Catholic Church has maintained a strong stance against abortion for centuries, regardless of evolving biological theories about when exactly life begins, the USCCB reported on its site.

"Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion," the catechism of the Catholic Church said. "This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law."

The memorial of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated every May 13, Franciscan Media reported. It recalls Mary's appearance before three children in 1917. Mary appeared before the children on multiple occasions near Fatima in Portugal, north of Lisbon, and instructed the children to pray a rosary for World War I to end, world peace, the conversion of Russia and for sinners.