Bishop's Schedule: Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Friday, January 24, 2003 3:00 p.m. -- Concelebrate at Celebration of the Eucharist on the Occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Priestly Ordination of the Most Reverend John J. Paul, Bishop Emeritus of La Crosse, Christ the King Chapel of Holy Cross Diocesan Center, La Crosse Thursday, January 30, 2003 3:00 p.m. -- Preside at Midday Prayer for Vocations, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison

Promote human life:
Yesterday, today, and forever

		The Bishop: A Herald of Faith Bishop William H. Bullock

With great consistency and equal clarity The Catholic Herald editor, Mary Uhler, always addresses vital issues of our day in a timely fashion.

Mary's frequent editorials touch especially on one aspect of our consistent ethic of life. I wish to compliment her for her articulate words and her forthrightness in stating the truth so convincingly and faithfully.

This past week I hope you all read her editorial entitled "Legacy of Abortion: Youth Weep for Lost Lives." It is excellent and clearly states our Catholic position regarding abortion-on-demand, legal in the U.S. for 30 years.

"As Catholics we should first of all know these truths concerning human life and be acquainted with how to articulate clearly the positions we hold."

A human issue

In one sense, abortion is a human issue and from reason we can argue that, from the moment of conception in the womb of the mother to natural death, each of us has an inalienable right to life.

"From womb to tomb" is one expression by which we say that life is to be protected, fostered, and nourished. "From conception to natural death" is yet another phrase that announces the value of human life.

The words "defenders of life" should be present in the clear thinking head of every Catholic person in the Church. For as Mother Teresa has said, "If a child is not safe in the womb of its mother, what else is there to defend in life?"

Thirty years of legal abortion

As we come to the 30th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision of the U.S. Supreme Court legalizing abortion, we as Catholics, as American citizens, have every reason to pray and work toward reversing the decision of that court ruling.

Environmentalists of our day speak most eloquently to our need to become more conscious of the killing of life, the pollution of the atmosphere, the poison of contamination, to mention but a few.

Why are we unable to get our act together and see that abortion is an evil, an enemy of life? We are so fortunate in the teachings of the Church to see all of the life issues in one consistent ethic of life.

Consistent ethic of life

We condemn abortion, unjust war, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, and capital punishment. We are promoters of life at all ages and in all stages.

I wonder how many Catholics opposed to capital punishment applauded the commutation of the death penalty to life imprisonment by the Governor of Illinois? How many opposed to abortion did so?

As Catholics we should first of all know these truths concerning human life and be acquainted with how to articulate clearly the positions we hold.

The Church not only teaches the obvious wrong in abortion, capital punishment, nuclear proliferation and unjust warfare, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, we have positive pro-life groups to assist all people who may find themselves in that dilemma.

Many ways to help

Pregnancy help lines, orphanages, adoption services, Project Rachel, counsel and care for our elderly, classes in justice and peace, understanding the just war theory, environmental projects in our schools and parishes - all are needed to help us respect, protect, and promote human life.

Join me in prayer, work, and action to be promoters of life on all levels. Speak up when the topic surfaces at parties and gatherings. You need not be "preachy" to make your point: just say you believe in, cherish, and promote all the life issues, from conception to natural death.