--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------JOSEPH N. LATINO
Bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, MS
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January 20, 2012
Let us protect sacredness of life
By Bishop Joseph N. Latino
          This Sunday, Jan. 22, marks the 39th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. In this decision in 1973, we in this country were launched, by a decree of a man-made court, into the moral struggle of “pro life” against “pro choice.”
          Unfortunately the court, in order to establish a legal “right” to abortion, ignored the fact that a human life – the unborn child – would be terminated and another human life – the mother – would be damaged as well, either psychologically, physically or in some tragic cases fatally.
          Because of that legal decision, today we are a part of a society that allows and even finances abortion on demand. Today innocent unborn infants are denied – by choice – a right that all of us have, namely the right to defend and preserve our life against an unjust aggressor. For reasons as little as it being an inconvenience one can choose to abort life.
          The Catholic Church has always preached and espoused the sacredness of all life – from conception until natural death. The church has always approached this vital issue with prayer, sound logic, a conviction of faith and morality and the position of justice for the rights of all.
          In article 5 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) entitled “The Fifth Commandment – thou shall not kill” – it states: Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end.
          God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end. No one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being. (CCC 2258)
          The catechism continues: Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of its existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being of life. (CCC 2270)
          The authentic pro-life movement is based in peace, prayer, love, compassion and belief in the sacredness and dignity of life. Catholics have witnessed for Christ at clinics that perform abortions by peacefully praying the rosary and offering prayers for unborn children and their mothers.
          The church for years has offered alternatives to abortion by providing pregnancy counseling, adoption services and housing for battered women and children. All of these efforts build the kingdom by loving our neighbor in the way Jesus Christ taught us.
          The church’s position has remained unchanged and it shall remain unchanged when it comes to the sacredness of life from conception until natural death. As Catholics, let us continuously promote the culture of life where every life is valued and respected as the divine mystery it truly is.

LATINO ARCHIVES

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