New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, chairman of the US bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has called for a national prayer campaign effort that "the change in the US Supreme Court will move our nation closer to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life."

"As soon as Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, pro-abortion groups began lobbying the US Senate to reject any nominee who does not promise to endorse Roe v Wade," the cardinal said in a statement.