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Jan. 22: a
date that lives in infamy
PRAISED BE JESUS
CHRIST!
(Now and Forever)
For all who value life from conception to natural death, Jan. 22 is a
date that lives in infamy. It was on that date in 1973 that the Supreme
Court of the United States handed down two infamous decisions: Roe
vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton. As a result, “no significant
barriers of any kind whatsoever exist today in the United States for a
woman to obtain an abortion for any reason during any stage of
pregnancy” (1983 Senate Judiciary Committee Report).
Abortion is a violation of human rights, incomparable in magnitude, and
an atrocity for the human family (Statement of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops on the 30th anniversary of Roe vs.
Wade). Yet it remains legal in the United States throughout
pregnancy. A surprising number of people do not seem to understand the
“throughout pregnancy” reality. While Roe vs. Wade appeared to
create some limitations, Doe vs. Bolton, which was decided on the
same day, erased those limitations by creating a “health” exception so
broad that it effectively allows abortion for any reason, including the
most common: “can’t afford a baby now” and “unready for the
responsibility.”
Efforts to restrict abortion most often are struck down because they do
not contain a “health provision.” But, as a result of Doe vs. Bolton,
that inclusion in effect renders restrictions meaningless.
The lack of any limits to legal abortion was never clearer than in the
case of Stenberg vs. Carhart in 2000, when the Supreme Court
ruled that even the horrific partial-birth abortion procedure could not
be restricted.
There does seem to be a changing climate. The widespread use of
ultrasound imaging underlines the fact that a fetus in fact is an unborn
child. A baby’s heartbeat can be detected at 21 to 22 days. Brain waves
are recordable at 40 days. Partial-birth abortion, too, has horrified
the public and demonstrated how extreme U.S. abortion law actually is.
Moreover, the inability to stop partial-birth abortion has frustrated
the public and legislators, and turned opinion against a judicial system
unwilling to end this barbarous violence. Prior to the mid-term
elections, even leaders of the Democratic Party began to publicly
question the efficacy of the party’s radical stance on abortion.
It would seem that a nation that has more or less acquiesced to Roe
out of ignorance of its extremism, respect for federal courts, and a
desire to be non-judgmental, is awakening in recent years to these
realities. If Roe means that partial-birth abortion must be
legal, Roe is far worse than once thought.
An increasing number of people are beginning to become convinced that
Roe is bad law, bad medicine and bad social policy, in addition to
being profoundly immoral.
As a Church, it is important that witness to the sanctity of life be
ongoing. It was for that reason that back in February 2002 the following
became particular law for the dioceses of the United States of America.
In all the dioceses of the United States of America, Jan. 22 (or Jan.
23 when Jan. 22 falls on Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day
of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed
through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the
legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass for Peace and Justice
(No. 21 from “Masses for various needs”) should be celebrated with
violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day.
Jan. 22 this year falls on Monday. The traditional elements of a day of
penance are fast and abstinence from meat. I challenge the Catholics of
our Local Church to join me on Jan. 22 in fasting and abstinence. If you
are able to do so, you are urged to participate in the Mass for Peace
and Justice. If you are unable to participate in Mass on Jan. 22, I urge
you to make the following petitions part of your prayer on that day.
Almighty God, on this day of penance for violations to the dignity of
the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for
the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life, I turn
to you asking that you hear my prayer:
• For young mothers everywhere, and especially those who are tempted to
despair, that through the child they carry deep within, they might know
hope and joy.
• For all whose hearts ache from the sin of abortion, that God will
soothe and heal them with the balm of his mercy.
• For mothers broken by the memory of a child lost to abortion, that
through the intercession of the Mother of God, the gentle and merciful
love of God may heal their innermost being.
• For a growing love of God’s little ones, in the womb, in nursing homes
or at death’s door, that we might love with the love of Jesus.
• For all mothers, especially those who are young or alone, beaten or
addicted; that God might heal their broken hearts and seal them with his
love.
• That the Lord, who rescues the life of the poor from the power of the
wicked, might send an angel to guard and protect all unborn children.
For (your U.S. representative and your U.S. senators), and all the
leaders of our country; that God may make them strong and effective
defenders of the poor, the unborn and the forgotten.
Lord, with gratitude for the blessings you shower upon me, I beg you to
open my eyes to your presence in my life, and my heart to the gifts of
your Holy Spirit. Strengthen my faith. Lift the scourge of legalized
abortion from our nation, heal the wounds of those who carry the scars
of abortion, and bring peace and justice to our world. I ask this in the
name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
If Roe is overturned, policy decisions about abortions will be
made by the citizens of each state through the democratic process,
rather than by courts. Some states no doubt would place limits on
abortion; in others there would likely be few limits. However, it would
be determined by the judgment and moral sense of the American people and
their elected representatives rather than by judicial fiat.
But, here is the bottom line: As long as abortion is legal anywhere in
our land, what was said through Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet,
will continue to be fulfilled: “A cry was heard at Ramah, sobbing and
loud lamentation: Rachel bewailing her children; no comfort for her,
since they are no more.” That is why each year on Jan. 22 the Church
calls us to do penance that hearts will be converted and life from
conception to natural death will have the protection of law. |
