From the Pastor’s Desk: Living the Gospel of Life

As Catholics, we uphold the dignity of all human life as a fundamental truth. This is true because every human life is a blessing from God. Therefore to do any violence toward a person is to severely violate the Greatest Commandment. Further, on many occasions the U.S. Bishops have spoken directly regarding our responsibilities to protect the poor and most vulnerable persons in our world; I urge you to reflect upon this statement from the U.S. Bishops on the inviolability of human life and the responsibility of elected officials:

We urge those Catholic officials who choose to depart from Church teaching on the inviolability of human life in their public life to consider the consequences for their own spiritual well being, as well as the scandal they risk by leading others into serious sin. We call on them to reflect on the grave contradiction of assuming public roles and presenting themselves as credible Catholics when their actions on fundamental issues of human life are not in agreement with Church teaching.

No public official, especially one claiming to be a faithful and serious Catholic, can responsibly advocate for or actively support direct attacks on innocent human life. No appeal to policy, procedure, majority will or pluralism ever excuses a public official from defending life to the greatest extent possible. As is true of leaders in all walks of life, no political leader can evade accountability for his or her exercise of power (Evangelium Vitae, 73-4). Those who justify their inaction on the grounds that abortion is the law of the land need to recognize that there is a higher law, the law of God. No human law can validly contradict the Commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.”

— Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics (1998), no. 32

Please, speak out for the protection all life, especially the poor and most vulnerable. In this month of January, take the time to contact your elected officials encouraging them to build the culture of life and to reject the “throwaway culture” of abortion.

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us!

Fr. Wilke