Now that the abortion issue has been returned to the states by the Supreme Court decision, where does that leave us as citizens of New York but also Catholics at St. Mark’s. We know that New York State will continue to be one of the most radical states in terms of abortion because of the Women’s Reproductive Health Act, (over 100,000 abortions a year), which basically allows not only abortion on demand up until birth, but abortions are paid for by New York State taxpayers. In fact, the present legislators and governor have
committed to paying for those who want abortion who come from states with stricter laws, including not only paying for the abortion of out of staters, but paying for their airfare and overnight accommodations.
committed to paying for those who want abortion who come from states with stricter laws, including not only paying for the abortion of out of staters, but paying for their airfare and overnight accommodations.
So where does that leave us. The perception among many Catholics and society at large is that the Catholic Church is doing a lot on the abortion issue; the reality is that it isn’t, especially in comparison to the immense destruction of innocent lives in our country, in our state and in our diocese every single year. I know all polls and surveys have their challenges, but this troublesome reality is reflected in a Pew Research done before the 2016 election, which asked Catholics: what was the most important issue? Abortion came in #13 out of 14, second to last. Only 46% of Catholic voters said abortion was a “very important issue.” It is astounding that
another Pew Research found that 51% of Catholics say that abortion should be legal in most or all cases. Only 42% stated that abortion should be illegal. It is estimated that 25% of abortions are done on women who list themselves as Catholic. There are 16 Catholic Senators and 47 Catholics in the House of Representatives (plus Catholic President Joe Biden) who have voted for laws or policies that support abortion. This happens because for too many people abortion is seen as just an abstract concept, instead of the brutal reality it actually is.
The US Bishops have been authentic in their Catholic teaching: “The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life from the moment of conception until natural death is always wrong and is just not one issue among many. It must always be opposed.” (Faithful Citizenship Forming Consciences # 28) They quote St. Pope John Paul II “Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights for example, the right to health care, to home, to work, to family, to culture, is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other rights, is not defended with maximum determination.” (FCFC # 26) St. Pope John Paul II also states: “It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all other inalienable rights of the individual are founded and from which they develop.” Pope Benedict stated: The fundamental human right, the presumption of every other right, is the right to life itself.” Pope Francis states: “The right to life is the first among human rights.” Also, Pope Francis stated in his exaltation (“Rejoice and be Glad” #101): “Our defense of the unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development.”
The Catholic teaching on abortion as a “preeminent priority” has been clear but the lived reality has not. So, what will follow in the bulletin is a series of foundational points that demonstrate why abortion needs to be followed by Catholics as of paramount importance.
another Pew Research found that 51% of Catholics say that abortion should be legal in most or all cases. Only 42% stated that abortion should be illegal. It is estimated that 25% of abortions are done on women who list themselves as Catholic. There are 16 Catholic Senators and 47 Catholics in the House of Representatives (plus Catholic President Joe Biden) who have voted for laws or policies that support abortion. This happens because for too many people abortion is seen as just an abstract concept, instead of the brutal reality it actually is.
The US Bishops have been authentic in their Catholic teaching: “The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life from the moment of conception until natural death is always wrong and is just not one issue among many. It must always be opposed.” (Faithful Citizenship Forming Consciences # 28) They quote St. Pope John Paul II “Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights for example, the right to health care, to home, to work, to family, to culture, is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other rights, is not defended with maximum determination.” (FCFC # 26) St. Pope John Paul II also states: “It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all other inalienable rights of the individual are founded and from which they develop.” Pope Benedict stated: The fundamental human right, the presumption of every other right, is the right to life itself.” Pope Francis states: “The right to life is the first among human rights.” Also, Pope Francis stated in his exaltation (“Rejoice and be Glad” #101): “Our defense of the unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development.”
The Catholic teaching on abortion as a “preeminent priority” has been clear but the lived reality has not. So, what will follow in the bulletin is a series of foundational points that demonstrate why abortion needs to be followed by Catholics as of paramount importance.
Fr. Jim Hewes