My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Each year, the Pro-Life movement has united at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. This year, it will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22. This event provides an opportunity for us to gather in our Nation’s capital and march down Constitution Avenue, ending at the Supreme Court, where the decision to make abortion legal in the United States has set a destructive path and human life has been reduced to a choice. It is unfortunate that there is a fundamental misunderstanding of the beginning of human life, its innate dignity and the possibility of terminating life.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in his message for Day for Life, said, “Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”
Yes, we are masterpieces of God’s creation. To destroy a masterpiece is truly a sin against nature.
As I reviewed our Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese here in Brooklyn and Queens, I found a comprehensive approach to education, pastoral care, prayer and public policy on this important issue. Each one of these areas demands our utmost attention and support. In the area of education, we see an effort to reform, clarify and deepen the understanding of the basic issues concerning Pro-Life activities which go beyond the merely educational matters, and the encouragement of October Pro-Life month activities. The diocesan ministry brings to our attention the many ways in which we can be informed about Pro-Life matters beginning with the teaching of the Church. As we recognize the need for pastoral efforts to meet the needs of women who have had an abortion, there are resources available for them.
Fortunately, there are many Catholic organizations which assist people with crisis pregnancy counseling, the need for shelter for women about to give birth, as well as the opportunity for adoption services for children, in addition to our own School of Evangelization – Office of Faith Formation and Respect Life Ministry. There are many specialized programs for almost every aspect of child care, as well as post-abortion counseling. There are facilities which assist in difficult pregnancies. We cannot, however, deal with the results of a misunderstanding of human life.
Also, prayer is truly an important part of our diocesan program. The Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, founded by Msgr. Philip Reilly, organizes prayer rallies at abortion clinics in Brooklyn and Queens. Rosary for Life, founded by Wyn Powers, promotes reverence and respect for the God-given gift of life, especially the life of the unborn. Also, the Cenacles of Life are prayer groups that meet once a week, offering two rosaries to support life. The group “40 Days for Life” is rooted on a foundation of prayer, fasting and service. Information for all of these organizations is available on www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org and listed under “Marriage and Family.”
Finally, we must also be concerned about our public policy advocacy program which the Office of Government Affairs (part of the DeSales Media Group) conducts using “Currents” on NET TV, the daily Catholic news program in the Diocese, to foster change in legislation affecting Pro Life matters.
This January, we put out into the deep in trying to show our respect for all human life from its very beginning in conception to its natural end. Please join in prayer and action to this end.
