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NRL News
U.S.
Catholic Bishops’ 2007 Respect Life Program The theme of the 2007 Respect Life Program comes from a passage in Luke’s Gospel (1:39–56) which recounts the Visitation of Mary to her elderly cousin Elizabeth, nine weeks after Mary consented to become the mother of the Messiah. Elizabeth and her unborn son, John (“the Baptist”), recognized that they were in the presence of the Lord Jesus, although he was then only a first-trimester unborn baby. Filled with joy and awe, Elizabeth told Mary that the moment the sound of Mary’s greeting reached her ears: “The infant in my womb leaped for joy” as this greatest of prophets announced with his whole exuberant baby being: Behold, the Lamb of God! How might these two unborn children fare under similar circumstances today? Then, children were welcomed as the greatest of God’s blessings. Today, we put conditions and price tags on newly conceived children—like affordability, timing, and perfection. As the child of an elderly mother, John would certainly be subjected to a battery of tests to ensure genetic “perfection” and would, more often than not, be aborted should testing reveal a flaw. What of Jesus and his mother Mary? Thankfully, most of the world has abandoned the practice of stoning to death unwed pregnant teens. But can we claim to be civilized when “elites” of academia, government, and media think the best option for such a mother is to destroy the child lest he interfere with her education and career? Of course some couples desire children so fervently that they are willing to spend upwards of $40,000 for reproductive technologies to create a child and manage a pregnancy. But what of the “leftover” siblings of the children who survived gestation and birth and who languish in cryo-preservation tanks? Many scientists and lawmakers take a reductionist and instrumental view of these lab-created kids. Despite their human DNA, these embryos are denied their inherent dignity, their unique identity, and their human potential. They are reduced to being unconsenting donors of their own vital organs for embryonic stem cell research. Other scientists seek taxpayer funding and free rein to clone humans for similarly destructive research. How can we continue to speak of inherent human dignity when these beings with human DNA are being manipulated and destroyed for basic research? One article in the Respect Life packet—”Peter’s Story” by Mary Kellett—addresses the dignity and worth of children with genetic anomalies. Despite the urging of doctors to abort her son Peter, who has trisomy 18, because “he would die soon after birth,” he’d “suffer” and “never know or respond to his family,” the Kelletts decided to love and welcome him for as long as possible. Peter’s now a smiling, giggling child almost three years old who has taught his parents and 10 siblings how to truly love. Realizing how many parents feel pressured to abort a child with disabilities, Mary founded Prenatal Partners for Life, an Internet ministry that pairs parents who’ve newly received an adverse prenatal diagnosis with parents who’ve dealt with the same or a similar diagnosis and found the grace and courage to nurture their child’s life for as long as God willed. Mary offers valuable tips on what pastors and friends should say (and what they should avoid saying) to distraught parents, to help support them in a life-affirming decision. “These children,” Mary concludes, “are teachers of our souls, and society desperately needs the lessons and blessings they bring.” Discrimination against persons with disabilities does not end with birth. In “The Person with Mental Illness: Bearing God’s Image,” Rev. Richard Gill, L.C., reminds us that persons suffering from mental illness have the same inherent dignity as each of us. The dedication of so many individuals who work in the field of mental health points to the value of persons suffering from mental illness. Their vulnerability should always call forth our attentive concern. Caregivers ought to receive a solid formation “of the heart” that will allow them to “go beyond mere human sympathy to authentic solidarity in suffering, a bond between persons rooted in love.” Yet another group of vulnerable humans—elderly loved ones—can inadvertently be denied their dignity and worth by family care-givers when the latter find themselves overburdened and impatient by the strain of care. Bill and Monica Dodds, in “Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones,” offer practical guidance on how to be a loving, successful caregiver who can affirm the value of a life that has been limited physically or mentally due to aging. Surgeon Angela Lanfranchi, M.D., has contributed an article to the Respect Life Program on the abortion-breast cancer link. Scientists agree that the first full-term pregnancy reduces a woman’s breast cancer risk. This occurs because cells which were once vulnerable to carcinogens are transformed into cancer-resistant cells late in pregnancy. But aborting a healthy pregnancy before 32 weeks’ gestation leaves breasts with almost double the volume of cancer-vulnerable cells than were present before the pregnancy. About 5–10% of women with breast cancer develop it as a result of an abortion. Rev. Thomas D. Williams, L.C., explains the preeminent place of abortion in the body of principles known as “Catholic Social Teaching.” Since 1975 the Catholic bishops in the U.S. have committed themselves to providing counseling and reconciliation to those suffering in the aftermath of abortion. The Project Rachel ministry, developed by Vicki Thorn, has grown into a network of healing in the heart of the Church. Over 145 dioceses operate about 160 offices where a person wounded by abortion can be put in touch with a trained priest or lay counselor for free, confidential, one-on-one counseling. Respect Life materials are posted at www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/index.shtml, and can be purchased in print or on a CD by calling toll-free: (866) 582-0943. Pamphlet versions are ideal for parish distribution and pamphlet racks. High school religion and CCD classes, parish women’s’ and men’s’ groups will benefit from studying the topics in greater depth, using full-length versions and inviting a local physician to comment and answer questions. Mrs. Wills is associate director for education, USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. |