Editorial

Legacy of abortion: Youth weep for lost lives

As a reporter, I've covered many pro-life rallies since 1974, the first anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. This year sadly marks the 30th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade and pro-lifers are still hard at work - trying to reverse that court ruling.

At first, pro-life rallies primarily included married couples and older persons. But in more recent years, many teenagers and young adults have energized the pro-life movement. Perhaps they've been influenced by their parents and grandparents, pastors and teachers. Maybe they've read literature or listened to pro-life messages on radio or television.

Effects on their generation. I think today's young people also realize the devastating effects of abortion on their generation. They know it deep in their hearts: about one out of four babies in the last 30 years have died in abortion.

The U.S. bishops point this out in their statement, "A Matter of the Heart," issued on the 30th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. "Many young people today comprehend the legacy of Roe," say the bishops. "They look at 30 years of legal abortion and weep over the 40 million lives destroyed."

Open to life. The pro-life movement "is brimming with the vibrancy of youth." Why? "Because the hearts of the young are open to life and are filled with love of life," the bishops note.

"The minds of the young are open to the truth about abortion. They dream of a world without Roe vs. Wade, and they live as if the dream were true. Their hearts are full of compassion for unborn children and for young women who are confused and suffering, and they look for ways to serve them."

I believe even those who defend the "right to choose" would agree. The world would be a better place without abortion. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all babies had the chance to be born? If all children could be raised in a loving home?

Offer assistance to women. In their statement, the U.S. bishops renew the Catholic Church's offer of assistance to anyone considering abortion. To women contemplating abortion, they plead: "If you are overwhelmed by the decisions you face, if you cannot afford medical care, if you are homeless or feel helpless, whatever your needs, we will help you. The church and her ministries, inspired by the word and example of Jesus Christ, will help you with compassion and without condemnation."

Roe vs. Wade has left a trail of broken hearts. But all of us can join our young people in bringing healing and hope by supporting the work of Catholic Charities' pregnancy counseling and adoption services; Project Rachel (for those who've experienced abortions); and pregnancy helplines, which assist pregnant women and mothers.

We can continue to provide monetary and volunteer help to pro-life organizations. And we can write letters and make phone calls to our legislators to restrict abortions and eventually overturn Roe vs. Wade.

We hope and pray for a world where abortion is not necessary, where all children have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Until then - inspired by our young people - we must work to provide alternatives to abortion for all pregnant women.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

We've lost two generations

To the editor:

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January 22, 1973 reminds us that not all children are allowed to experience the joy of being alive. Each child is sent into this world by God with a unique message to deliver, a new song to sing, a personal act of love to give.

Children killed by chemical and surgical abortion are denied this privilege, this right. And so lost to society are our future parents, leaders, nurses, teachers, artists, physicians, inventors, and many more.

We have already lost two generations, when one considers the monetary loss in our Social Security fund. Are not each one of us responsible for this loss? How? By our apathy while human babies are being exploited and killed.

We can make a difference by prayers for hearts to be changed, that God's plan be carried out, by our witness and involvement in human life-promoting actions. We can make a difference!

Sr. Rosalia Bauer, FSPA, R.N., Beloit

Downward spiral since 1973

To the editor:

In the last 30 years our nation has seen horrendous increases in child abuse, murder, kidnappings, parents murdering their own children, and pornography. Why is this downward spiral taking place?

One of the reasons is that on Jan. 22, 1973 - 30 years ago - abortion on demand was legalized. Since then over 43 million babies have been brutally killed by legalized surgical abortion and 43 million mothers will carry this pain with them forever.

When there is no respect for life in the womb, there is no respect for life at all. We have deceived our young people into believing their problems can be solved by aborting their children - that human life is a disposable item.

The aborted baby today could have been the one God sent to cure cancer or some other deadly disease. Every life matters. A baby is God's opinion that life should go on.

What will your answer be when we stand all alone before God and he asks what did you do to help save his precious babies?

Marie Gestrich, Beloit

Ban partial-birth abortion

To the editor:

When a legislator with normal intelligence votes for legislation that promotes and facilitates the performance of abortions, doesn't he or she realize that such actions contribute to acts of evil? If that legislator is a truly practicing Christian, he or she normally believes that human life begins at the moment of conception and that the act of abortion is an act of murder.

When the subject of partial-birth abortion again comes before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, hopefully there will be enough truly Christian senators and representatives to pass the ban on partial-birth abortion.

Charles J. Sippel, Waterloo