January 18, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Life is such a precious gift from God. Recently I had the privilege of anointing Catholic women who were dying. They were mothers surrounded by their families. There was a profession of love that was enjoyed by their children who were present. We prayed together as their children gave thanks to God for the love that was so generously shared. Every child is uniquely different, but they all shared the bond of life.
This pandemic has made all of us aware of the importance of life. Some of the nightly news broadcasts resemble a slot machine at a casino, as we watch the colorful numbers increasing by the day, indicating the new infections, hospitalizations, and growing fatalities. We are warned to mask, test and maintain social distancing. Life does mean something as we worry and fret over the loss of it.
Senseless random drive by shootings, which take the lives of young innocent bystanders, are rightfully decried by an outraged public, as is the increase of murders in our major cities. We demand that there should be a protection of life by lawful authorities.
How can we understand the importance of human life in one area and be so blind when it comes to the destruction of the unborn?
A society cannot continue to exist if it kills its own. Tens of millions of unborn have been aborted since the Roe v. Wade (1973) decision. The value of human life has decreased. We have depersonalized the child in the womb. Claims as to the right over one’s body fail to understand that there are two distinct persons involved.
We have been in a constant social decline exacerbated by the Roe v. Wade decision. We no longer embrace a God centered responsibility. The “civil law” replaces “natural law.” I know many will dismiss my arguments as espousing the Catholic teaching position, but the Catholic position makes sense and preserves something that we all intrinsically understand: life is precious and should be protected.
There have been saints who have been created in their witness to the defense and support for human life. I give thanks to God for the number of individuals who have devoted their time and efforts to saving lives. Those organizations that remind us of our responsibility for the defense of the unborn, the individuals praying in front of the abortion clinics, those involved in street counseling who attempt to help women understand the life that they intend to end, the Women’s Care Centers that walk with those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and the Knights of Columbus that have provided funds for Imaging Machines that project pictures of the child in the womb.
Although we have experienced recent setbacks to the defense of the unborn during this current presidential administration, I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will recognize the science around human life and the rights of the states. If the Supreme Court will not overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, at least it may begin the process of limiting the effects of Roe v. Wade and bring some sanity to an issue that projects our societal suicide.
As a Catholic, I will continue to pray for the enlightenment of our citizens and that whether born or unborn, we must LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
