Dear Saint Mary Friends,
Roe v. Wade
Last Friday, one more divisive jolt hit our country. The 50-year-old Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion was overturned and will now rest with the states. Those of us who have prayed, marched, and worked for this day never thought it would happen in our lifetimes. But it has. Praise be to God, it has.
The response from the pro-life side has been one of joy, and from the pro-choice side, for the most part, one of rage and insult and, in some cases, destruction of property. (Special thanks to the Ridgefield police who were kind enough to keep watch on our Masses this past weekend as a precaution.)
Contrast that with the 50-year peaceful, respectful resistance from Catholics and others. The hundreds of thousands of young and old, male and female who marched in the January cold all these years were not just “mostly peaceful,” but completely so.
The Church contributed mightily to the call for repeal with a well-argued position dependent not necessarily on faith, but on human reason, enhanced by faith, and aided by an instinctual desire and duty to protect our most innocent and vulnerable. But reason is in short supply and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Just note the incorrect “facts” in various media about the court’s decision and the disdain heaped on pro-lifers. Not a hopeful sign that we can get beyond passions to rational and civil conversation.
Perhaps even more disturbing is the media’s narrow reporting. Just a day after the decision, every article in our local newspapers reported from the perspective that there was only one position: the courts were unequivocally wrong, and women everywhere were now destined to be victims of this unfair, cruel and partisan move. It was hard to find a headline or article with any balance. It’s a racist decision, yet African American babies are disproportionately aborted. It’s a sexist decision, yet significantly more girls are aborted than boys, with women often making that choice.
Some of our political leaders, not surprisingly, have been as polarizing as the media. A Connecticut federal office holder’s take is that this is “a frightening and dark moment for our country.” That does nothing to engage. It only seeks to crush.
As the issue of abortion now moves from the courts to the states (and in essence, it’s people) this divisive rhetoric does not bode well for a fair and just debate. For a good take on reasoned political debate, see this brief video from Bishop Robert Barron from July 2021 – well before the recent court decision.
But I am not a politician, judge, reporter, or social commentator. As a pastor of souls who loves you all, let me speak then, as a shepherd. Many people say they are acting in conscience without ever having taken the trouble to form their consciences. Our consciences should be formed by listening to that still small voice (the Holy Spirit) and reflecting on the Gospel (the Word which is God), aided by the Church and human reason. After all, the same God gave us the gifts of both faith and reason.
We’ve all heard glib infantile phrases like “Keep your rosaries off my ovaries,” or “My body, my choice.” These do not come from well-formed consciences in Christ who gave his body for others, but from the spirit of this fallen world. That said, Catholic author and professor, Peter Kreeft’s observation requires reflection. “Abortion is the Antichrist’s demonic parody of the Eucharist. That is why it uses the same holy words, ‘This is my body,’ with the blasphemously opposite meaning.”
You may notice that I have not written one thing about caring for expectant mothers and their babies. I hope that need not be said again and again. It is a hallmark of Christian life, and not the issue at hand given the bombardment of the media’s hegemony on the court decision. Let’s however, reiterate that we at St. Mary’s are always ready to help anyone involved in an abortion seek healing and mercy. If someone reading this is in such need, please speak with one of our priests or deacons.
The Dobbs case is not the end of the abortion question in America. But it is a huge step forward in the quest to end this unthinkable act. It is nothing short of miraculous to be standing in this moment in time. As the Vatican said in a statement shortly after the decision was released, “The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world.”
Unfortunately, at least for now, Connecticut will be one of the pro-choice bastions, with almost unlimited access. So, during these post-Roe days, please let us continue to pray, persuade, and be charitable to one another.
May we offer true thanksgiving to God who has heard and answered our prayers for the protection of His gift of life.
Praise be to God,
