DEACON FOR LIFE

Were there to be no support in the whole history of ethical and moral thought, were there no acknowledged confirmation from medical science, were the history of legal opinion to the contrary, we would still have to conclude on the basis of God's Holy Word that the unborn child is a person in the sight of God. He is protected by the sanctity of life graciously given to each individual by the Creator, Who alone places His image upon man and grants them any right to life which they have.

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

40 Days for Life: DAY 8: United in the culture war

As many in the US advocate to deny healthcare to a baby girl who survives an abortion, Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, and Orthodox Christians unify to end abortion.

It's also true at the global level that the vigil has united pro-lifers in countries around the world. Christians in Seoul are holding South Korea's first-ever campaign. It's off to a strong start.

"On the first day, 75 volunteers participated," said Joonil, who helps lead the campaign. "We never expected this large number of people."

The Seoul team is bound by pandemic restrictions that prevent public gatherings...but they've gotten creative to keep their vigil law-abiding.

"One volunteer prays in front of [our big sign]," Joonil reported. "The others pray, keeping their distance, standing or walking around the place focusing prayer for an end to abortion."

Vigil participants display a picture of an unborn baby, and enthusiasm is high. "Some volunteers thanked us for inviting this great campaign," Joonil shared.

Stockport, England

Joonil isn't the only campaign leader to see greater-than-expected turnout early in the vigil.

Steve in Stockport said finding vigil participants is difficult. Some people even deliberately avoid him to dodge his recruitment efforts!

But Steve isn't deterred. He continues building his campaign--one prospective participant at a time. 50 people attended his launch event last week.

"All in all, a great job!" commented 40 Days for Life Director of International Campaigns Robert Colquhoun.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Ann Arbor campaign hosted a Jericho March, joined by more than 125 people of all ages.

"It was such a blessing to be led by Lutheran and Presbyterian pastors and Catholic clergy!" said Ann Arbor leader Sandie. "The pro-life movement brings us all together in such a powerful way."

Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

—Luke 10:30-34

Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart. Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life 4112 E 29th St. Bryan, Texas 77802 United States (888) LIFE-316

LIFE IS SACRED

An example of the traditional magisterial teaching which indicates that it is never morally licit to intentionally kill a child through abortion in order to “save the life of its mother” comes from the teaching of Pope Pius XII:

“Every human being, even the infant in the mother's womb, has the right to life immediately from God, not from the parent or any human society or authority. Therefore, there is no man, no human authority, no science, no medical, eugenic, social, economic or moral ‘indication’ that can show or give valid juridical title for direct deliberate disposition concerning an innocent human life-which is to say, a disposition that aims at its destruction either as an end in itself or as the means of attaining another end that is perhaps in no way illicit itself. Thus, for example, to save the life of the mother is a most noble end, but the direct killing of the child as a means to this end is not licit.”