Life support: the pro-life movement is hardly monolithic, those responding to U.S. Catholic's Reader Survey reveal, and that's a good thing. Activists, nurses, priests, and parents are all needed to create a culture of life.[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TWO THINGS BECOME IMMEDIATELY APPARENT whenever Catholics are tapped to discuss the role of faith in defending human life. First: Most American Catholics support the sanctity of human life, all human life--"from womb to tomb," as the old saying goes. In a recent survey of U.S. CATHOLIC readers and website visitors, a full 60 percent said that being pro-life means everything from opposing abortion and assisted suicide assisted suicide: see euthanasia. to alleviating poverty and injustice. A meager mea·ger also mea·gre adj. 1. Deficient in quantity, fullness, or extent; scanty. 2. Deficient in richness, fertility, or vigor; feeble: the meager soil of an eroded plain. 3. 3 percent said pro-life means opposing abortion only. Second: "Religion and politics don't mix"--at least not very well whenever Catholics to cast a vote consistent with their beliefs. Michael Goodboe of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Palm Beach Gardens is a city in Palm Beach County in the U.S. state of Florida. The city is in the center of a rapidly-developing area north of West Palm Beach in the northern part of the county and the South Florida metropolitan area. speaks for many, complaining that the pro-life movement is "based too much on politics," rather than values. Others, like Jeanie Lewis of Chicago, dread "the screech factor" that becomes ever more deafening during the heat and hype of an election year. For 85 percent of respondents, confrontational rhetoric and tactics detract from detract from verb 1. lessen, reduce, diminish, lower, take away from, derogate, devaluate << OPPOSITE enhance verb 2. the pro-life movement's message. Whether they think that abortion should always be illegal (43 percent) or that the government shouldn't prohibit others from making that decision (40 percent), the survey respondents agree that abortion isn't just an issue up for discussion every four years. Being pro-life seems to be a way of life for all sides. IN THE YEAR FOLLOWING a HEATED ELECTION SEASON, THE pro-life movement has struggled to find its place. Catholics remain an important group to the new administration, especially in the health care reform debate. For Catholics with a broad definition of pro-life, universal access to health care is an important goal, as long as abortions aren't being funded. A vocal minority of Catholics protested President Barack Obama being honored at the University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame , as well as Edward Kennedy's Catholic funeral A Catholic Funeral refers to the funeral rites specifically in use in the Roman Catholic Church. Within the church, they may also be referred to as Ecclesiastical Funerals. , but most Catholics were supportive of both. The week after Kennedy's funeral also brought the surprise resignation of Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino, who had dashed with many for insisting Vice President Joe Biden This article is about the United States Senator from Delaware, for other uses of the name, see Biden. Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, Delaware. , a Scranton hometown boy, and other pro-choice Catholics be barred from Communion. Fifty-seven percent of survey respondents are proud of the U.S. bishops' vocal and uncompromising stand on the right to life of the unborn. Still, Bishops John M. Darcy and John R. Quinn John Raphael Quinn (born March 28, 1929) is a Roman Catholic bishop, currently the Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of San Francisco; he served as the archdiocese's sixth archbishop from 1977 to 1995. recently pondered in America magazine what the bishops could have done differently about the Notre Dame controversy to facilitate a better dialogue among key Catholic decision makers. Catholics everywhere will want to note--if not also model--Quinn's suggestion that his fellow bishops adopt the "policy of cordiality" already so evident "in the example of the Holy See." WHEN IT COMES TO BISHOPS, ONE IS PARTICULARLY NOTABLE: Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Joseph Louis Cardinal Bernardin (originally Bernardini) (April 2, 1928–November 14, 1996) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Chicago from 1982 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1983. was invoked repeatedly by our survey respondents. In the early 1980s, the now-deceased Chicago cardinal linked abortion to other assaults on vulnerable forms of human life. He won over a multitude of hearts and minds by pointing out Catholicism's inherent consistency on all life issues, which he likened to 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. " of Christ. "There are so many pro-life issues going on right now," agrees a Colorado reader. "How can you separate one from all of them? Are unborn children any more precious than children who are already born and need education or health care? Are the people who pick your food and butcher your meat any less precious to God?" Andover, Minnesota's Kim Jensen, however, takes issue with that view: "Catholics seem to think that all issues--pollution, immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. , war, torture, poverty, health care--are on an equal footing with abortion. But abortion is far more serious; the victims are the most innocent. We must battle all forms of social injustice Social Injustice is a concept relating to the perceived unfairness or injustice of a society in its divisions of rewards and burdens. The concept is distinct from those of justice in law, which may or may not be considered moral in practice. , but right-to-life issues must take precedence. Without the right to live, no other right matters." Father Bill Kenneally, who serves in Chicago, patiently points out, "Our Cardinal Bernardin tried to describe common ground on this issue," but "the American bishops were reluctant to follow his lead." Reluctant, indeed. Perhaps that's one of the reasons 36 percent of readers doubt that common ground can ever be found between the pro-choice and pro-life camps--and why 35 percent believe abortion trumps all other pro-life causes. Abortion "is the bishops' only stand in most cases," laments a reader in Saginaw, Michigan Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 61,799. The 2006 population estimate was 57,523.[1] It is the county seat of Saginaw County[2] . "Why are Catholic Church officials so quiet about wars or poverty?" Angela Stockton of Clermont, Florida Clermont is an affluent western suburb of Orlando in Lake County, Florida, United States. The current population for Clermont is 22,097 at a 2006 census, making it the largest city in Lake County, Florida. The historic downtown district is still much as it was 50 years ago. points to another black eye for the bishops: "I don't believe the bishops will ever appreciate how the pedophile pedophile Forensic psychiatry A person with pedophilia; there are an estimated 500,000 pedophiles in the world. See Child prostitution, Megan's law, Pedophilia. scandals destroyed their credibility on any moral issue for large numbers of Americans." ONE THING RESPONDENTS AGREE ON IS THAT PRO-LIFE CONCERNS are based in faith. A totally consistent ethic of life is the heart-and-soul basis of Catholic Social Teaching," insists Joe Walker of East Grand Rapids, Michigan East Grand Rapids is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,764 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Grand Rapids known for its strong academics, high-school sport championships and its community atmosphere. . "The creation story from the Book of Genesis Noun 1. Book of Genesis - the first book of the Old Testament: tells of Creation; Adam and Eve; the Fall of Man; Cain and Abel; Noah and the flood; God's covenant with Abraham; Abraham and Isaac; Jacob and Esau; Joseph and his brothers Genesis teaches that all life 'is very good.' God is the decider of life, and humans must respect that." "My compass for life is God," says Jessica Lombardi of Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States of America. With a population of 234,403 as of the 2000 census, Norfolk is Virginia's second-largest incorporated city. . "His commandment 'Thou shalt shalt aux.v. Archaic A second person singular present tense of shall. not kill' states it perfectly; there are no but's in the commandments." What's tricky, of course, is that in-vitro fertilization and hospital ventilators didn't make an appearance with Moses on Mount Sinai. Some of the lines between what is and isn't seen as a viable life have become blurred as new technologies have emerged. These tools tempt humans to play God, allowing us to produce human life outside the womb, prolong life, or pluck it away when we see fit. Consider a more everyday example: artificial birth control. Readers such as Eileen Smith of Dearborn, Michigan Dearborn is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in the Detroit metropolitan area and Wayne County, and is the tenth largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 97,775. include Natural Family Planning natural family planning Biological birth control Any FP that does not rely on artificial agents–eg, OCs, 'morning-after' pill, spermicidal foam, RU-486 or devices–eg, condoms, diaphragms, IUDs to prevent conception Methods Rhythm–calendar method, as part of "a heartfelt response to being pro-life and the marriage covenant." A slight majority of readers, however, believe the Catholic Church would be more credible in fighting abortion if it reconsidered its teaching on artificial methods. "The church has painted itself into a corner on the birth control issue," says Spring Hill, Florida Spring Hill is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hernando County, Florida, United States. The population was 69,078 at the 2000 census, and was estimated to be 85,894 in 2005 by the American Community Survey. reader Keith Burbridge who, with his wife Rita, has fostered unwed mothers through Catholic Charities and adopted children born to moms who couldn't keep them. From Rita's experience as a nurse, she's found that there are no easy answers: "When I worked in the emergency room, I cared for a few women who came--sometimes near death--as a result of botched botch tr.v. botched, botch·ing, botch·es 1. To ruin through clumsiness. 2. To make or perform clumsily; bungle. 3. To repair or mend clumsily. n. 1. illegal abortions. It was too late for one woman, whose death orphaned her other children. I have prayed for her and her family for 40 years. The women I saw were usually in desperate situations, and I sympathized with their miserable decision. "Illegal abortions will resume if present law is changed. I can't stand the thought. But neither can I stand the thought of the millions aborted today. I believe that the answer is public policy that promotes contraception and keeps abortion from being used as contraception. Contraception is the lesser of two evils; thanks to modern science it is now safe and effective." EDUCATION IS KEY, THE BURBRIDGES and other Catholics who have worked in the trenches on pro-life issues agree. Sometimes education needs to be aimed at the general public, as a reader from Appleton, Wisconsin Appleton is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, on the Fox River, 100 miles (161 km) north of Milwaukee. As of the 2005 census estimate, the city had a total population of 70,217. attests: "I have seen little done to educate the public on the fact that this baby truly is a person. Ultrasounds are what educate many mothers. As a young nurse I baptized bap·tize v. bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing, bap·tiz·es v.tr. 1. To admit into Christianity by means of baptism. 2. a. To cleanse or purify. b. To initiate. 3. many babies after a mother's miscarriage, some as little as 2 inches. Who can say this isn't a person?" Sometimes, though, the education is as simple as letting a frightened woman know she has alternatives. Illinois reader Alma Hermes knows this all too well. "I worked with Birthright for 14 years. Whenever I met with clients who were considered to be abortion-minded, I asked, 'If I could solve all these problems for you, what would you really like to do?'" she says. "With only one exception in those 14 years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time answer was always, 'Have the baby!' So then we set out to work on the problems." AND THE SURVEY SAYS ... 1. In my view, the proper definition of pro-life is: Opposing abortion only. 3% Opposing abortion and embryonic stem cell research. 8% Opposting all direct killing (abortion, war, capital punishment, assisted suicide). 15% Opposing all of the above, plus working for peace and social justice and alleviating poverty. 60% Other. 14% 2. Abortion is by far the most egregious evil in the U.S. today and needs to be singled out and condemned above all concerns. Agree 35% Disagree 52% Other 13% 3. The primary focus of the pro-life movement should be: Personal: Change people's minds and hearts. 45% Policy: Promote social policy to reduce abortions. 34% Legal: Overturn Roe v Wade and make abortion illegal. 21% 4. The Catholic Church would be more credible in fighting abortion if it reconsidered its teaching on artificial birth control. Agree 55% Disagree 38% Other 7% 5. It's possible to find common ground between the pro-choice and pro-life movements. Agree 53% Disagree 36% Other 11% 6. The confrontational rhetoric and tactics of some in the pro-life movement detract from its message. Agree 85% Disagree 11% Other 4% 7. I think abortion should be legal: Never. 43% When the mother's health is in serious danger. 27% In the case of rape or incest. 21% When the mother is seriously mentally ill. 12% Up to fetal viability. 11% At any time in the pregnancy. 4% 8. Although I am personally opposed to abortion, I don't think the government should prohibit others from making that decision. Agree 40% Disagree 48% Other 12% 9. I am proud of the U.S. bishops' vocal and uncompromising stand on the right to life of the unborn. Agree 57% Disagree 27% Other 16% Results are based on survey responses from 378 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and website visitors. Advance copies of Sounding Board are mailed to a sample of U.S. CATHOLIC subscribers. A representative selection of their comments follow in Feedback. feedback My faith motivates me to be pro-life because ... I believe in the sanctity of life as created by God. Only God can take life away. Bobbi DeVries Jenison, Mich. The dignity of human life is the core of our faith. Abortion should be unthinkable for Catholics. Rick Mills Coldwater, Mich. Although my faith is obviously a very big part of my motivation, I believe that I would still be staunchly pro-life without it. I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. how anyone could justify that it's OK to kill a child in the womb--the place where a child should be the safest. Mary Miller Mary Ellen Miller is the master of Saybrook College at Yale University and the Vincent Scully Professor of the History of Art. She studies and lectures on the art and architecture of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, on which she has authored or co-authored a number of works. Stillman Valley, Ill. All life is sacred--not just the life of the unborn. Jack Beschta Oregon, Wis. Killing is wrong, period, especially the killing of innocents. Gregory Gauthier Tampa, Fla. God created life, Jesus Christ Jesus Christ: see Jesus. Jesus Christ 40 days after Resurrection, ascended into heaven. [N.T.: Acts 1:1–11] See : Ascension Jesus Christ kind to the poor, forgiving to the sinful. [N.T. saved life, and the Holy Spirit animates life. Mike Haney, O.F.M. Bayfield, Wis. I am not pro-life. Abortion is really between a woman, the person who fathered the baby, and their God. The church should actively show the many alternatives to abortion. Daniel Lata Chicago, Ill. The most creative response I've seen to the abortion issue is ... "Thank you, Morn, for choosing life." Steve Trainor Carlock, Ill. President Obama's "Nobody likes abortion" comment. Abortion came about because of Christianity's lack of response to the causes of abortion. Linus Mercil Baton Rouge Baton Rouge (băt`ən r  zh) [Fr.,=red stick], city (1990 pop. 219,531), state capital and seat of East Baton Rouge parish, SE La. , La.
Asking "What if President Obama's mother had chosen abortion?" Helen Wise Springfield, Ill. Allowing desperate women to leave their newborn babies at hospitals rather than leaving them somewhere to die after birth. Alice Rass Mosinee, Wis. Pictures of a fetus sucking its thumb. S. Grunst Holland, Mich. Letting people know what really happens during an abortion. Name withheld Superior, Wis. Father Andrew Greeley The Reverend Dr Andrew M. Greeley (born February 5, 1928 in Oak Park, Illinois to Andrew and Grace Greeley) is an Irish-American Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist and best selling author. He has given numerous interviews on both radio and television. said, "It is hard to convince people of your 'pro-life' position if you are screaming 'baby-killers' at them." Bill Johnston
Tacoma, Wash. Humanae Vitae Humanae Vitae (Latin "Of Human Life") is an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI and promulgated on July 25, 1968. Subtitled "On the Regulation of Birth", it re-affirms the traditional teaching of the Roman Catholic Church regarding abortion, contraception, and other issues , which few of us have actually read and lived. Titus Trube Warner Robins Warner Robins, city (1990 pop. 43,726), Houston co., central Ga., in an agricultural region; inc. 1943. The surrounding area yields peanuts, grain, fruit, and livestock. , Ga. Accounts from women who are remorseful re·morse·ful adj. Marked by or filled with remorse. re·morse  ful·ly adv. for having an abortion.
Name withheld Kingsport, Tenn. My 19-year-old college-freshman daughter placing her son in an open adoption, going on to finish college, and becoming a speaker about adoption options. S. W. Weigert Mundelein, Ill. What bothers me the most about the usual pro-life/pro-choice dispute is ... That it hasn't accomplished anything! Jo Lauer Sherwood, Ark. Animal-rights activists seem to have more clout than those trying to educate people about the horrendous procedure of partial-birth abortion partial-birth abortion n. A late-term abortion, especially one in which a viable fetus is partially delivered through the cervix before being extracted. Not in technical use. . Name withheld Eden Prairie, Minn. All the vitriol vitriol: see sulfuric acid. . Say rosaries quietly--not in the driveway of the clinic. Virginia Magers Jackson, Miss. The lack of respect, especially the unwillingness to acknowledge the good intentions of opponents. Jean Sartor Brighton, Mass. That "pro-choice" doesn't really equal "choice." It seems to equal abortion only. Name withheld Cape Girardeau, Mo. There seems to be more concern over the unborn than the born of all ages. Peg Schwendeman Hampton, Minn. I think denying Communion to a pro-choice politician is ... Counterproductive. We need to be working together to support all aspects of life, not sitting in judgment of politicians who have the duty to make tough calls. Linda A. Jani Macomb, Ill. Absolutely right. We need to take a stand. This is a most public slap in the church's face when these people are allowed to speak evil pro-choice words and receive Jesus in the same mouth! Bridget DiCello Drummonds, Tenn. A wonderful idea--as soon as the same treatment is insisted upon for bishops who shelter child molesters. Joseph Komadina St. Louis, Mo. Indefensible. They need the grace of the sacrament. Christ never turns anyone away from his table of love. He didn't hesitate to eat with the sinners. Jeanne Scavone Applegate, Mich. My personal efforts in the pro-life movement include ... Listening to women who have had an abortion and assuring them of God's unconditional love and forgiveness--and suggesting they claim, name, and pray for their baby. Sister Helen Walling, I.H.M. Clinton, Mich. Working for 25 years at a pro-life counseling center. These girls do not want abortions. They can see no other way. Jan Shiplett Milton, Fla. Voicing my opinion against killing of any kind. Jacquelyn Stahler Fayetteville, Ga. Supporting Planned Parenthood. They, unlike the "pro-lifers" I know, at least try in practical ways to prevent abortions. Martin A. Berg Oak Park, Ill. Nothing. The radical fringe of the pro-life and pro-choice movements polarize po·lar·ize v. po·lar·ized, po·lar·iz·ing, po·lar·iz·es v.tr. 1. To induce polarization in; impart polarity to. 2. To cause to concentrate about two conflicting or contrasting positions. me from taking a stand. Both groups need to find common ground and remove the radicals from their ranks. Carolyn A. Ugowski South Milwaukee, Wis. Supporting Project Rachel and giving personal help when approached. Name withheld St. Louis, Mo. Belonging to Democrats for Life. Martha Simms Plymouth, Mich. Taking part in the pro-life walks organized by our Knights of Columbus Knights of Columbus, American Roman Catholic society for men, founded (1882) at New Haven, Conn. (where its headquarters are still located), by Father Michael J. McGivney. . Beverly Mire mire (mer) [Fr.] one of the figures on the arm of an ophthalmometer whose images are reflected on the cornea; measurement of their variations determines the amount of corneal astigmatism. mire n. Lafayette, La. Raising my 2-year-old grandson. Name withheld Clarksville, Ind. General Comments It's unbearable to listen to the impassioned oratory of old men and women, past child-bearing age, and priests and nuns who haven't a clue what it's like for young pregnant teens. Name withheld Elkhorn, Wis. My youngest sister has moderate-level Down Syndrome Down syndrome, congenital disorder characterized by mild to severe mental retardation, slow physical development, and characteristic physical features. Down syndrome affects about 1 in every 730 live births and occurs in all populations equally. and lives in a small group home. If anyone spent time with her or her seven housemates--if they could just see their zest for life--they would never support abortions. Kathy Childs Little Rock, Ark. I exist only because I wasn't aborted. I was given up by my mother in the hospital in which I was born. My childhood was unhappy, but I never condemned my mother. I'm grateful to her for giving me life; I have tried to make the best use of it. Joseph Ritz Hamburg, N.Y. All of life is sacred: the patients in the mental ward, the woman in jail, the migrant worker, the homeless man on the street, the elderly woman living alone--as well as the life of our enemies. It's not just about "saving babies." Name withheld Decherd, Tenn. By MARY LYNN HENDRICKSON, a writer and religious educator in Stoughton, Wisconsin. |
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