Prayer demonstrators gather outside Planned Parenthood offices in Honolulu. (Courtesy photo)
RESPECT LIFE
“God blessed them and God said to them: ‘Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that crawl on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:28)
As baptized Christians we are committed to falling to our knees to pray and fast for the end to abortion. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to lead all men and women to seek the light of Christ and to know God’s truth that all life — from conception to natural death — is a sacred gift from God. No one, no one, under any circumstance has the right to destroy an innocent human being. The Bible reminds us, over and over again, that we must not defile God’s precious gift of life by destroying it for our own convenience.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann, former pro-life chairman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, clarifies the church’s mission: “Prayer has to be the foundation of everything we do and that all of our efforts, important as they might be, are not going to be fruitful if we’re not praying and asking the Holy Spirit to guide us.” His rally call to all Catholics is to pray, pray and pray for the will of God regarding the pro-life push for the end of Roe v. Wade when each state will have the autonomy to decide abortion issues within its boundaries.
The archbishop understands that to change society from a culture of death to a culture of life is a conversion process that must begin in the heart, leading one to be close to Jesus, the source of all joy and love. In prayer, all Christians unite stronger than ever to create God’s culture of life with the mantra that every human has the right to life and the pursuit of happiness — the unborn, the young, the old, the sick and the dying.
All are dignified in God’s eyes and due respect and honor, for we are created in the image of God. As Christians, we are commanded to persevere, never to give up hope, knowing our prayers can bring about a conversion of hearts. As we await the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Care (expected in June) we pray the outcome will move all men and women closer in renewing a society living the culture of life.
There are three predictable ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision:
- The overturning of the 1973 Roe v. Wade will cause some states to double their efforts to protect the right to an abortion while other states may prohibit abortion. Some states have already passed “trigger laws” ensuring abortion will remain legal if Roe is overturned.
Those who believe in abortion feel anti-abortion laws will force women to bear children against their will. They believe an unwanted and dangerous pregnancy is unhealthy for women’s bodies, their sexual autonomy and their aspirations for a better future.
- Data from the Guttmacher Institute indicate that, if Roe v. Wade is overturned, 21 states will attempt to ban abortion or have stipulations in place rendering abortion illegal in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
- The Catholic Church will need to step up to the plate and be there if and when there is an increase of moms bringing their children to full term. The USCCB is promoting a program called “Walking with Moms in Need,” a parish action guide to help parishes serve mothers in need in their communities.
How can we defend life and protect human life when our efforts seem fruitless in the face of the culture of death? By becoming informed of abortion history and, through prayer and action, seeking to change it.
On March 13, 1970, Hawaii became the first state in the nation to allow abortion on demand. The Hawaii law stated, “abortion is legal if it is performed by a licensed physician in an accredited hospital and before the fetus is viable outside the uterus.” The ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court proclaimed, “the State shall not deny or interfere with a female’s right to choose or obtain an abortion of a nonviable fetus. A woman has the right to choose an abortion to protect her life or health.”
Hawaii is one of the few states where teens do not need to notify or get permission from a parent or guardian to have an abortion whereas many states require at least one parent’s consent.
On the mainland, abortion was legalized in 1973, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that women had the constitutional right to obtain an abortion without state interference within her first trimester (three months) of pregnancy. Since 1973 the abortion right has been extended to include taking the life of the baby just before natural birth. Since the legalization of abortion, over 63 million babies have been aborted in the United States according to statistics from the Guttmacher Institute (a subsidiary of Planned Parenthood).
Since 1973, abortion has been a “hot-button” topic affecting almost every American.
Let’s review the Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women Health case.
In March 2018, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed House Bill 1510, the Gestational Age Act, outlawing abortion after 15 weeks “except in a medical emergency or in the case of a severe fetal abnormality.” The case before the U.S. Supreme Court, Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women Health, asks whether all pre-viability bans on elective abortions are unconstitutional. The Dobb’s case challenges every premise that the Roe v. Wade decision is based on.
Modern science has shown that, at 15 weeks, a child is capable of feeling pain and has a fully formed nose, lips and eyebrows and is able to suck his or her thumb, meaning the fetus is much more than a clump of cells, it is a distinct living being. The U.S. is one of eight countries that permit abortion after three months. A limit on abortion after 15 weeks would bring the United States in line with most European countries.
Please tell your friends and church communities to pray every day that the U.S. Supreme Court justices make wise decisions leading to the end to abortion.
St. John Paul II gave the world the great encyclical “Evangelium Vitae” which amplifies God’s command of Genesis 1:28. He also encourages us to never give in and to pray, pray, pray.
We also encourage you to offer one hour in front of Planned Parenthood praying for all mothers, fathers and abortion workers. Pray for their conversion of heart and especially for the innocent unborn. Contact Anne Shigeta Koch, site director, (808) 268-7143, or Agnes Tauyan, (808) 348-4481, of the 40 Days for Life Easter campaign.
As in all earthly things, we know that God is in control, but we must also understand that he works through us, within us and for us that his will be done! Amen.
Contact the Respect Life Office at (808) 673-3074.
Deacon Gary and Valerie Streff are the co-directors of the diocesan Respect Life Office.
