While it's great news that substantial political pro-life victories were won in the mid-term elections, we must now ask ourselves, "What do these victories mean for the protection of human life and family?"
Pope Saint John Paul II inspires and instructs us in this opportune and pivotal moment to rally in defense of life:
"What
is urgently called for is a general mobilization of consciences and a
united ethical effort to activate a great campaign in support of life"
(Evangelium vitae, #95).
As
I said last week, voting is a critical Catholic obligation based on
permanent, non-negotiable moral and ethical principles that affirm a
Culture of Life. Now that we have expressed our pro-life voices on the
ballot, we must mobilize our efforts to fight swiftly and efficaciously
the aggressive assault on women, pre-born children, youth, families, and
marriage.
We must dismantle the
anti-life media myth regarding the "War on Women;" combat the perverse
sexual agenda in our educational institutions; oppose language and
action that distorts the sanctity and sacrament of marriage between one
man and one woman; defund completely Planned Parenthood, one of the
largest global providers of abortion services; and withdraw financial
support from USAID programs which endorse intrinsically evil agendas
abroad that include contraception, abortion, sterilization, and same-sex
unions (conveniently and newly-coined as "gender-neutral").
I propose the following actions:
- Hold political leaders accountable for decisions that will protect and defend Life and Family. Our part doesn't end with the success of elections. It's true that recent regimes exercising egregious political power have encouraged and supported devastating anti-life policies. A truly authentic response is to encourage our leaders to defend life from conception to natural death. We must take an active role in corresponding with leaders in all branches of government, remind them continually of every individual's inalienable right to life. We must unite in our demands for just decision-making based on these permanent, non-negotiable principles.
- Openly
"defend life" in professional and personal spheres of influence. Such a
conversation might be downright disagreeable to many, but the
conversation is necessary to turn the tide of hearts and minds. We all
know people who seem completely numb to the violence, the moral decay
that thwarts a Culture of Life:
Abortion -- approximately 3,000 babies aborted every day in America,
Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide -- the sad, selfish act that takes away the gift of life, even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, and
Murder -- cities and suburbs riddled with senseless and reckless killing.
The
message is simple and clear: every life has value; no life is
dispensable. Under this fostering premise, "Apostles of Life" will
emerge as future generations who embrace and share pro-life attitudes to
love, respect, and defend life and family in every society.
With
renewed purpose, let's bring the "defend life" conversation to all
spheres of our lives, transforming hearts to love life with openness to
the salvific message as Pope Saint John Paul II exhorts:
"The
issue of morality is one which deeply touches every person; it involves
all people, even those who do not know Christ and his Gospel or God
himself. It is precisely on the path of the moral life that the way of
salvation is open to all." (Veritatis splendor, #3)
Our
mobilization efforts must be intent on morally educating our leaders,
fellow citizens, and future generations to respect the most valuable
resource on earth: the life of every individual. This united effort will
be, undoubtedly, one of the best ways to influence culture and build
healthy societies -- civilizations of life and love.
As
an educational apostolate for 40 years, this has been HLI's strategy.
Pray that our life-saving mission to protect life and family will
continue to gain more successful victories for Christ. Pray, also, that
all pro-life individuals will rally together and defend life long after
this election season!
Sincerely yours in Christ, 
Father Shenan J. Boquet
President, Human Life International
Pro-Life Passion Leads Former HLI Staff Member to Postulancy
by Krista Schmid Thomas
On Hollywood Avenue in the Bronx, New York, a growing community of
women religious serve an order with a charism for life. One of our own,
Theresa Tolpa, who worked for Human Life International from 2008-2011,
has entered the Sisters of Life as a discerning postulant. She will live
with fellow postulants at the St. Frances de Chantal Convent during her
formation before she takes first vows.
This
isn't the first time Teri has lived in community since she left her
home in Northern Virginia. In July of this year she completed a year of
service with Christ in the City, a Catholic evangelization mission in
Denver, Colorado, which puts Catholic social teaching into
action through communal life, prayer, and intellectual and spiritual
formation. -more-
From Ocean to Ocean
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by Krista Schmid Thomas
"Having
traveled with Our Lady of Czestochowa and having seen the profound
effect she has had across the United States and Canada," Father West
stated, "I can say that through Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Lord, as He
has done so often in the past, is doing great things at many levels.
Indeed, only God can heal and reverse the catastrophe that has befallen
societies that have embraced abortion and other assaults on life. He
continues to call us to join in the fight through the intercession of
Our Lady." -more-
 |
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix, with Deacon
James Danovich and Father Peter West, celebrated Mass at Maggie's Place
to honor the Black Madonna's pilgrimage to North America in defense of life and family.
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