Christ the Cornerstone

Protecting the unborn begins with loving moms, changing hearts

“Through the words, the actions, and the very person of Jesus, we are given the possibility of knowing the complete truth concerning the value of human life.” (St. John Paul II)

On Monday, Jan. 22, parishes and dioceses throughout the United States have committed to praying for the legal protection of unborn children.

We believe that all human life is sacred and that all of us—individuals, families, and our society as a whole—have a moral obligation to protect and defend our unborn children and all vulnerable members of our community. We believe that this moral obligation must be embedded in our laws and in the hearts and minds of all people of good will regardless of their religious beliefs or political affiliations.

In “We Are One in Christ: A Pastoral Letter on Fundamentals of Christian Anthropology,” published in 2018, I wrote:

Respect for the human person proceeds by way of respect for the principle that “everyone should look upon his neighbor [without any exception] as ‘another self,’ above all bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity” (“Gaudium et Spes,” #27.1). No legislation could by itself do away with the fears, prejudices, and attitudes of pride and selfishness which obstruct the establishment of truly fraternal societies. Such behavior will cease only through the charity that finds in every man a “neighbor,” a brother.

In recent years, we have seen significant changes in legislation and public policy regarding the right to life of unborn children. Some decisions—such as the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade—have been most welcome.

Other actions at the state and local level (in our neighboring states of Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, for example) have been serious setbacks for the legal protection and fundamental right to life of the unborn. Clearly, our work is not done.

In fact, legal protection, by itself, will never be enough. What’s needed above all is a broad-based conversion of mind and heart that takes root in our society. This conversion must begin with each of us, and it must express itself in words and actions that are authentic, self-sacrificing and respectful of the human rights and dignity of all our sisters and brothers, whether born or unborn.

“We Are One in Christ” affirms what it means to be caring human persons and faithful missionary disciples of Jesus Christ:

The duty of making oneself a neighbor to others and actively serving them becomes even more urgent when it involves the disadvantaged, in whatever area this may be. “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” [Mt 25:40]. This same duty extends to those who think or act differently from us. The teaching of Christ goes so far as to require the forgiveness of offenses. He extends the commandment of love, which is that of the New Law, to all enemies. Liberation in the spirit of the Gospel is incompatible with hatred of one’s enemy as a person, but not with hatred of the evil that he does as an enemy (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1931–1933).

This attitude—of loving the sinner while hating the sin—is especially important in the fight for legal protection of the unborn. Authentic Christian love is due to everyone, especially pregnant women who consider having an abortion.

To be pro-life is to find every opportunity to support and encourage expectant mothers and to help them make courageous choices knowing that they are not alone. By supporting Project Rachel and other forms of ministry to those who seek healing and recovery from the woundedness of having been engaged in the abortion process, we demonstrate that we truly reverence and respect all human life.

We cannot be selectively pro-life. Either all life is sacred, or people are free to pick and choose for themselves who to love and who to hate.

Legal protection for the unborn is an essential first step, but the work we are called to do as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ extends far beyond the law. We are challenged to love others—including our enemies—in ways that will change their hearts.

To truly protect our unborn children, we must first love their mothers with the unconditional love of God. Then we must work tirelessly for the legal and social safeguards that will ensure that every unborn child is wanted and welcomed by us, the members of God’s family.

May God bless all unborn children and their mothers. May Christ dwell in their hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of their lives (Eph 3:17). †