“The call to holiness requires a “firm and passionate” defense of the innocent unborn. Equally sacred are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and the elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, the victims of human trafficking, new forms of slavery, and every form of rejection.”
Pope Francis in Gaudete et Exsultate
For me, pro-life means far more than anti-abortion. I’d like to see pro-life efforts extended to protest the Death Penalty. I’d like to see support for mothers who deliver babies at term, then keep weekly vigils for them, “The Disappeared” of Central and South America.
Could we re-direct some pro-life efforts to help children wounded by war, gun violence, drive-by shootings, and terrorist attacks?
Malnourished mothers whose empty breasts are unable to feed their babies, people everywhere who are unable to provide adequate nourishment for their families because of unemployment, poverty, drought, flooding, crop failure, and other loss of agricultural land caused by climate change, need our help.
Did you see the picture of the father with his little daughter, drowned in a river while trying to cross into the U.S.? Their reality, and that of all immigrants, especially at the U.S. southern border is death-dealing, certainly a pro-life issue.
There is life, and there is life. . . or is there? Where are the advocates for our fellow human beings in these wretched situations? Are they organized?
True respect for life, all life, true pro-life supporters, would advocate against all of these wretched conditions, and more.
A credible pro-life stance would not be pro-birth only; pro some life, not all, but pro-life for all the members of our one human family; the family of God.”
In this holy season remember that “God became one of us—all of us.”
You are so right, Mary Ellen. I pray for all of them too. May God inspire even more true-lifers.
Thank you, Mary Ellen, for your prophetic words. I wish
It could be published in every church bulletin, on emails, and to all God’s People.
In my own small way, I share many of your thoughts with
my “good” Catholic friends who seem to hold only one point of view. So I pray their minds and hearts be opened to the bigger picture and Jesus’ Words “that all may have life.” Peace happens when there is justice for all.
Thank you for expressing so clearly the realities and truths of our local, state, national and world situations/environments.
Thank you so much for your wonderful reflection on what pro-life really includes everything from conception until natural death. I am concerned about these one-issue (abortion only) voters.
Thank you, Mary Ellen. I’m with you but in my own very small way. I use the thought: “This is for all those who are suffering at the hands of others, especially children.” It sort of keeps me grounded in the realities of life when I want to feel sorry for myself!