Bishops clarify pro-life issue (United States).Washington--In their November 1998 meeting, the American bishops issued the statement "Living the gospel of life: a challenge to American Catholics." It put an end to the interpretation known as the "seamless garment The phrase "seamless garment" refers to the seamless robe of Jesus, which the Gospel of John describes Jesus as having worn to his crucifixion. In 1971, Roman Catholic pacifist Eileen Egan used St. John the Apostle's phrase to describe a holistic reverence for life. " concept whereby all political and economical and ethical issues are put on the same plane and accorded the same status. Stated seven U.S. cardinals: "Catholics must address issues of racism, poverty, hunger, education, housing, and health care. But being 'right' on these can never excuse a wrong choice on issues such as abortion and euthanasia euthanasia (y  'thənā`zhə), either painlessly putting to death or failing to prevent death from natural causes in cases of terminal illness or irreversible coma. .... Catholic public officials who
disregard Church teaching on the dignity of the human person are
indirectly in collusion An agreement between two or more people to defraud a person of his or her rights or to obtain something that is prohibited by law.A secret arrangement wherein two or more people whose legal interests seemingly conflict conspire to commit Fraud in the taking of innocent life. In so doing, they jeopardize jeop·ard·ize tr.v. jeop·ard·ized, jeop·ard·iz·ing, jeop·ard·izes To expose to loss or injury; imperil. See Synonyms at endanger. their own salvation, erode Erode (ĕrōd`), city (1991 urban agglomeration pop. 361,755), Tamil Nadu state, S India, on the Kaveri River. The city is located in a cotton-growing region, and its industries include cotton ginning and the manufacture of transport equipment. the Community of Faith, and give scandal to the faithful.... Catholic officials who support abortion do so at their own spiritual peril. Abortion is not the only issue voters should consider before voting, but it has to be a major consideration.... People don't really have rights if they're not alive." As pro-life workers have put it over the last 30 years: A politician who is proabortion disqualifies himself from public office. Three months later, in early March, the Holy Father sent a message of congratulation to Cardinal Keeler Keel´er n. 1. One employed in managing a Newcastle keel; - called also keelman ltname>. 2. A small or shallow tub; esp., one used for holding materials for calking ships, or one used for washing dishes, etc. , stating "The choice in favour of life is not a private option but a basic demand of a just and moral society." With reference to the November 1998 statement, the Pope said: "At the end of the 20th century, we are witnessing a strange paradox: The sanctity of human life is being denied by an appeal to freedom, democracy, pluralism, even reason and compassion. "The language of human rights is constantly invoked while the most basic of them--the right to life--is repeatedly disregarded." |
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