Editorial
Respecting life in action, not theory
Since 1973, the Catholic Church in the United States has observed the month of October as “Respect Life Month.” During the past 50 years, much has been accomplished in the effort to promote the dignity of human life, but there is no question that much more needs to be done.
A great many prayers, sacrifices and good works are still desperately needed to transform a culture of death into a culture of life.
According to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Va., chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, one positive way to continue this important work is by embracing women facing difficult or challenging pregnancies. This is what Pope St. John Paul II called “radical solidarity,” respecting life in action, not just in theory.
Pope Francis frequently warns against attitudes that make the Church’s moral teaching seem abstract or insensitive to the intense suffering of people, especially the poor and vulnerable. When we argue in favor of pro-life positions—as we clearly must do in order to remain faithful to the Gospel—it’s vitally important to accompany our rhetoric with concrete actions.
As Bishop Burbidge writes, quoting St. John Paul II’s 1994 book Crossing the Threshold of Hope, “In firmly rejecting ‘pro-choice,’ it is necessary to become courageously ‘pro woman,’ promoting a choice that is truly in favor of women. The only honest stance, in these cases, is that of radical solidarity with the woman.” While our efforts must remain strong to end legalized abortion, it is essential that all Catholics “thoroughly surround mothers in need with life-giving support and personal accompaniment.”
Being in radical solidarity with women who are pregnant or raising children in difficult circumstances means putting our love for them into action and putting their needs before our own. Pope Francis reminds us that solidarity “refers to something more than a few sporadic acts of generosity. It presumes the creation of a new mindset,” a transformation within our own hearts.
As Bishop Burbidge says, “This new mindset requires that we come alongside vulnerable mothers in profound friendship, compassion and support for both them and their preborn children. It means addressing the fundamental challenges that lead an expectant mother to believe she is unable to welcome the child God has entrusted to her.” Our Church’s moral teaching is most profoundly pro-life when it is accompanied by compassion and generous assistance for women who urgently need our help.
Integral to the USCCB’s 50th anniversary is a commitment to the kind of radical solidarity advocated by Pope Francis. This includes collective efforts within our dioceses, parishes, schools and local communities, engagement in the public square, and pursuit of policies that help support both women and their preborn babies.
The USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities believes that this radical commitment requires our individual and deeply personal commitment to helping mothers in our own communities secure material, emotional and spiritual support for embracing the gift of life. Radical solidarity means rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. It means moving beyond the status quo and out of our comfort zones in order to affirm by our actions, as well as our words, that all human life is sacred.
“God has given each of us particular gifts,” Bishop Burbidge says. “With those gifts, God entrusts us with a role and duty within the Body of Christ. Embracing an attitude of radical solidarity calls us to honestly reflect on some challenging questions and to consider specific actions we can take to foster an authentic culture of life.”
This is pro-life advocacy that hits close to home. How can each of us—by our actions as well as our words—work to change the minds and hearts of family members, friends and fellow citizens? How can we use our individual gifts and talents to promote a genuine culture of life? And most importantly, how can we walk with women who are in trouble and actually help them?
“In addition to enshrining pro-life laws and policies,” Bishop Burbidge says, “the transformation of our culture also requires continual conversion of our own hearts, so that we can recognize in every person the face of Christ and place their needs before our own.” This is radical solidarity with the poor and vulnerable. It is respect for human life in action.
As our Church observes the 50th anniversary of Respect Life Month, let’s pray for the courage to advocate for a radical change in our culture and in our own behavior.
—Daniel Conway