"A Church for life"by Bishop William S. Skylstad (From the Oct. 3, 2002 edition of the Inland Register)
In a sense, those numbers have coined a new word in our vocabulary. We have seen how sensitive we are as a nation to the lives of the people killed on that day. We have heard stories about the families and the impact of a now single mother giving birth and raising a family alone. I find it heartening when a nation’s attention is focused on Siamese twins who are joined at the heads, and the very long operation of almost 24 hours to separate them. We looked forward to the good news of the successful operation, and the freedom of bodily movement the two infants would have. We rejoice at the marvel of modern medical technology when a little one in the womb is operated on for some physical defect. On the one hand, there is present in our land this loving concern and care for those who are fragile and vulnerable. Yet, on the other hand, there can be massive disregard for human life, from the moment of conception until birth. Over 1 million abortions a year in our nation alone point to that reality. Gratefully we acknowledge that this number in recent years seems to be on the decrease, but still the totals are horrifying. We must continue the work of convincing a nation that violence against a person in the womb is just as serious and grave as violence toward any person after birth. Just recently, a news story broke, showing us videotape of a mother beating her four-year-old daughter in a parking lot. This was headline news. People were appalled by the scene. Our society acknowledges its need to protect children, even in their own families, during the time when the little ones are so very vulnerable. Our tradition for many years here in the United States is to celebrate October as Respect Life Month. Oct. 6 this year is Respect Life Sunday. Certainly a very important mission for us as the Catholic Church in our day is to be a church of life and a church for life. In his encyclical, The Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II speaks of this call as proclaiming “a precise and vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its inviolability, and at the same time a pressing appeal addressed to each and every person, in the name of God: respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life” (#5). The Holy Father also says that “Where life is involved, the service of life must be consistent” (#87). The above events of great care and love contrast tremendously with the the too-prevalent notion that life in the womb is expendable, or that the poor need to take care of themselves. “We are not responsible for them!” seems to be the way of thinking. Therein lies, I think, a great inconsistency about our society’s attitude toward life. Our privileged role as Church is to advocate for protection, to be consistent in our way of thinking and concern, and to support and respect human life in all of stages, from the moment of conception until natural death. Our theology of about human life is really quite simple: We believe that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. Jesus tells us that we must love our neighbor as ourselves. There are no exceptions. This means especially that we even love our enemies. That’s the guideline for living the gospel of life. That should be our way of life. That’s why we must continue to be a Church of life and for life. Shortly before his martyrdom a couple of decades ago, Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande of El Salvador said that the material world has no borders. It is meant for everyone, even the poorest of the poor. He was killed for proclaiming that message. It’s so easy to erect borders in our hearts — to the unwanted unborn; to the poor; to the enemy half a world away; to a person of different creed or color; to people of different economic status; to the migrant so desperate to survive; to the single mother who can’t make it economically, although she is trying desperately to get on her financial feet and obtain more education. The list can go on and on. Consider how voters in the City of Spokane recently refused additional financial support for public transportation. What does this mean for those who need public transportation the most? Are we setting up borders or walls of separation and being consistent about our caring for one another in our society? A Church of life and for life can and must be a powerful presence in our society. We ourselves as Catholics are called to consistency in our response, and we call society at large to that same consistency. We must do this positively, respectfully, and hopefully as we look to the future. This month, as we also celebrate the month of the rosary, may we all continue to work hard and pray for a society of life and for life. Much peace and many blessings upon all of you!
Bishop Skylstad’s Schedule
Oct. 3: Board of Regents, Mount Angel Seminary, St. Benedict, Ore.
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Time almost always gives us a
sense of perspective. I suspect in the future when anyone asks us what would be one of the most
significant events in our lifetime, we would respond 9/11.