A TRAGIC ANNIVERSARY

Slavery is often described as our nation’s “original sin,” the immoral choice at our founding that has tainted so much that came afterwards. Given the evils of slavery, the bloodshed that resulted, and the persistent racism that still plagues our society, one can understand the description. I would go a step farther, however, and argue that slavery was a grave symptom of a deeper sin that afflicts our nation, one that we still struggle with: the tendency to define some groups of people as less-than-human and so not worthy of full legal and moral respect. This sin is manifested without a doubt in slavery and racism, but also in the historical treatment of women, our treatment of Native Americans, and the internment of people of Japanese descent during World War II, among other examples.

That sin, sadly, still dominates our common life in another ongoing and grave way: the assertion of a constitutional right to abortion. While the above tragedies resulted in the death of many, in abortion, a group of innocent human persons is so denied their basic rights that they may be directly killed with the full protection of the law. And they have been killed in staggering numbers. Today marks the 48th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. Since that time, an estimated 61,628,584 abortions have been performed in the United States. Pause and let that number sink in – it is staggering.

Today, on the anniversary of this decision, we pray both that the decision will be overturned and for a national conversion. We pray for the conversion of those in positions of power, especially Catholics in all levels of public life, including President Biden. We pray not only for the legal protection of human life, but also to create a culture that so upholds, defends, and respects all people, mothers especially, that the demand and desire for access to abortion will itself disappear. Just as we look back now and struggle to comprehend how millions of Americans could have been legally enslaved, we pray that, one day soon, a new generation will look back with such a profound respect for human life in the womb that they will wonder how we ever could have thought otherwise.

May God bless you,

Fr. Michael

If you or someone you know is suffering as a result of an abortion, the Church is here to help. Visit https://hopeafterabortion.com/ for resources and support.