1/15/2009
Fifty million babies lost
| |
|
 | Most Rev. John Vlazny
Archbishop of Portland |
Thirty-six years ago, on Jan. 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court in its Roe v. Wade decision legitimized abortion on demand in these United States of America. Since then, 50 million babies have been lost to abortion. Our fellow citizens across the nation will be gathering to remember these little ones that never received the protection which was rightfully theirs.
Oregon Right to Life is hosting a Roe v Wade Memorial Rally at Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18. In previous years the rally was held on the front steps of our State Capitol in Salem. The decision was made to move to Portland for this year’s rally and I take this opportunity to invite you to join me at this gathering. It may be too late for the 50 million who lost their lives to abortion but, hopefully, it won’t be too late for children now and in the years ahead.
Over the years some of you have written to me with complaints about the way other bishops and I continue to berate pro-choice advocacy in this nation while ignoring other equally or more important problems. Then there are those who complain that we bishops never say enough and as a result there are many more pro-choice politicians in government than those who are publicly pro-life. With complaints like those coming from both sides, maybe we bishops are doing something right. As teachers, we speak the truth. As pastors we speak the truth in love. Children often don’t understand the difference. Adults should.
Every once in a while, but not often enough, such complaints and my responses produce an exchange of sentiments which can be helpful for the cause. Let me offer this illustration based on a recent exchange of letters with a Catholic parishioner here in the archdiocese.
The gentleman wrote to express his concern that too many of our homilists back away from the issue of abortion in their public statements and thereby make it a lot easier for Catholic pro-abortion politicians to remain intransigent about this matter. This became an acute issue during the most recent election when our President-elect was clearly the favorite of all pro-choice constituencies across the nation.
In my response to the gentleman I suggested that the church does not favor one party or one candidate over another. In the matter of abortion, we would hope that all candidates and all parties would be pro-life. That’s our goal. With respect to those assuming the reins of leadership in Washington, D.C. and in Salem, it would be important for all Catholics who voted for one of these pro-choice politicians to make sure that their vote is not understood as an endorsement of any pro-choice stance. This example, directed to the President-elect, could be easily adapted for members of Congress and members of the state legislature:
“I voted for you on November 4, 2008, in the belief and hope that you would serve our country, state and society well, and I am pleased that you have won. I wish to make clear to you that I strongly believe in the dignity of the individual and the sanctity of life. Therefore, please do not interpret my vote as an endorsement of pro-choice legislation. I wish to encourage you to consider a pro-life perspective during your term in office.”
A similar idea had been proposed by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver during the recent political campaign. I endorsed the idea but never offered any practical follow-up procedure. I am hopeful that those of you who did vote for pro-choice candidates will pursue this recommendation. It seems to be a very positive and worthwhile undertaking, one that could be very productive in assuring at least reasonable limits if not total elimination with respect to abortion in our land.
The rally at Pioneer Square on Jan. 18 is not the only event prompted by the tragic loss of life as a result of Roe v. Wade. In Washington, D.C. a national prayer vigil for life will be taking place at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady on Jan. 21-22. In recent years more than 20,000 pilgrims have come to join in prayer for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life at this event. All of this is in response to the recommendation of Pope John Paul II in his important encyclical, The Gospel of Life: “A grave prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and Lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer.” Obviously most of us won’t be able to go to Washington for the prayer vigil, but we still can pray.
We Catholics are pro-life because our Christian tradition is pro-life. Our mission to defend human life applies over the entire course of life, from conception to natural death. Because our voice is a prophetic one, we will continue to speak out to protest injustices and indignities, like abortion, against the human person. We are not trying to win a popularity contest or an election. We are trying to do what is right and just.
But please remember that this is not simply a religious issue. This is an ethical concern. Stealing, lying and doing harm to others are also wrong, not simply because they are violations of anyone’s faith, but because they contradict human reason.
The fact that human life begins at conception is a scientific conclusion, not simply a religious one. The moral norm which prompts our church’s constant opposition to abortion is that each and every human life has inherent dignity, and thus must be treated with the respect due to a human person. This is the very foundation of all church social teaching, including what we have to say about war, capital punishment, euthanasia, health care, poverty and immigration. The claim that some human lives do not deserve respect or should not be treated as “persons” (based on changeable factors such as age, condition, location, or lack of mental or physical abilities) is to deny the very idea of inherent human rights.
January 22, 1973, was a very sad day in the history of our great nation. The Roe v Wade decision created an abortion mentality in the minds and hearts of too many of our fellow citizens, one that changed moral persuasion about a very serious evil. This anniversary gives us another opportunity to do what we can to stem the tide and change hearts and minds. Please do what you can. Write the letter. Say the prayers. But most of all, never give up. God bless.
|
|
