What We Do
What is today known as the Spiritual Defense Coalition (SDC) began as an initiative of Knights of Columbus Council 15381 — Holy Faith of Saint Anne Council in Santa Fe. In August 2025, the Council established the Sanctity of Life Project with three objectives: 1. encourage Knights' participation in the annual Sanctity of Life Mass held each January during the NM legislative session; 2. work jointly with the New Mexico Council of Catholic Bishops (NMCCB) to awaken parishioners to the pro-abortion demonic grip taking hold of New Mexico, driving them to show up, stand up, and speak up against the unprecedented crisis that had unfolded in our state; and 3. establish a formal coalition of pro-life groups across the state, including the Knights of Columbus, so that they might become a single body of prayer and action strong enough to confront it. That third objective became the Spiritual Defense Coalition of New Mexico.
Origin:
Founding Meetings
March 18, 2026 — Eight pro-life organizations gathered at the Thomas Aquinas Newman Center in Albuquerque for the first formal meeting. Opened with prayer, the group worked through six areas of discussion including Collaboration, Immediate Priorities, and Pastoral Involvement & Support. Central to the discussion was the question of what demanded immediate attention. Attendees were unanimous: confront the efforts to expand abortion in New Mexico — beginning with the $10 million state-funded facility under construction in Las Cruces.
March 25, 2026 — A follow-up meeting was held to translate that consensus into concrete commitments and next steps, assigning specific actions to specific organizations with named points of contact. The meeting closed with full consensus to move forward as a formal coalition.
Unity Agreement
Signed April 10, 2026
Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, Albuquerque
Ten pro-life organizations signed the Unity Agreement, a binding commitment to six principles:
WE SHALL INFORM citizens and legislators with facts
WE SHALL ENGAGE New Mexico’s bishops and pastoral leaders
WE SHALL UNITE across organizational and denominational lines
SHALL PRAY without ceasing
WE SHALL DEFEND the unborn through every lawful and moral means
WE SHALL REPRESENT the pro-life view before all public officials
Unity Agreement Signatory Organizations
Knights of Columbus, New Mexico State Council
Southwest Coalition, Inc
Project Defending Life
The Cherub Initiative
Better Together New Mexico
40 - Days for Life — Albuquerque
Queen of Heaven Respect Life Ministry
New Mexico Alliance for Life
Next Gen Defenders
Abortion Free New Mexico
Recently added (July 2026) Concerned Women for America of NM and Right to Life Committee of New Mexico.
Current Campaign
Stop the UNM Center for Reproductive Health, Las Cruces
The coalition’s first proving ground: stopping the $10 million state-funded facility at 2240 E. Lohman Ave, Las Cruces. Active workstreams include the Contractor Letter Campaign, construction supply- chain intelligence, episcopal engagement, the Prayer Warriors Initiative, parish bulletin distribution, and planning of a State-Wide Day of Prayer on 12 September 2026.
