This week marks the anniversary of Roe vs Wade which legalized abortion in our nation. There is both a great tragedy and a challenge here for us. There is great tragedy in the destruction of human lives, both through abortion and as destroyed or frozen embryos from reproductive technologies. There is great tragedy in the lives of women who have procured abortions, whether “freely” or under great duress. There is great tragedy in the lives of males who have irresponsibly impregnated girls and women and with equal irresponsibility not faced up to the consequences of their indulgences. There is great tragedy in the strong and, at times violent, words and actions which deeply divide our society. There is great tragedy in our inability to seek the common good over individual wants. There is great tragedy in our inability and our refusal to pursue a consistent ethic of life.
These tragedies present us with great challenges. We need to promote laws, policies, and decisions which defend the God-given right to life of every human person. We need to draw upon the great elements of our tradition to educate and to dialogue with reason and respect about the beginnings of human life. We need to presume the good will of those who disagree with us and treat them with respect as we listen and respond in dialogue. We need to promote support services for pregnant women and for families. We need to promote a greater sense of responsibility for the consequences of our actions. We need to be a positive influence in our society, seeking the common good over individual wants or license. We need to promote a consistent ethic of life in all its dimensions and issues. In short, we need to be committed and faithful to our Tradition of faith, especially our Catholic Social Teaching. We are much more than against abortion – that is relatively easy. We are for human life – that is a great challenge!
