St. Jude Parish Community
435 Mammoth Road Londonderry, NH 03053 Phone: (603) 432-3333 Fax: (603) 432-1639 
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Respect Life Issues and Teaching
Therefore every threat to human dignity and life must necessarily be felt in the Church's very heart; it cannot but affect her at the core of her faith in the Redemptive Incarnation of the Son of God, and engage her in her mission of proclaiming the Gospel of life in all the world and to every creature. One of the most powerful teachings of the Catholic Church is its emphasis on the value of human life. As evidenced by the creation stories in the Bible, all life, not just human life, is a gift from God. Though the entire world is his creation, God blessed man with a soul and created him in His own image: “ God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them” (GN 1:27). Thus, human life is something which must be revered and respected. However, in light of the society in which we live and the new technology that is now available, maintaining this reverence for life has become increasingly difficult. In his encyclical entitled Evangelium vitae, Pope John Paul II cites the Second Vatican council’s view on threats to life. He states: “Whatever is opposed to life itself, such as any type of murder, genocide, abortion, and euthanasia … all these things and others like them are infamies indeed. They poison human society, and they do more harm to those who practice them than those who suffer from the injury. Moreover, they are a supreme dishonor to the Creator” (no.3). As Catholics, it is our responsibility to ensure that life is given the opportunity to continue from the moment of conception until it ends in a natural death. Such an opportunity must be gravely guarded, especially in the case of those who are unable to guard it themselves, like the unborn and the elderly who are severely ill. According to Pope John Paul II, “Life is entrusted to man as a treasure which must not be squandered, as a talent that must be used well. Man must render an account of it to his Master” (no 52). Thus, life is a gift we receive, not something that we own and can dispose of according to our own will. Ensuring that it is protected by the laws of our country should be a mission that all Catholics seek to carry out. Web SitesUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life Web Page Articles and InformationArtificial Nutrition and Hydration Bishops Respond to Nancy Pelosi's "Inaccuracies" Related Brochure: The Catholic Church is a Pro-Life Church Three Beliefs: A Catholic Guide to Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care in New Hampshire Conscience and the Catholic Voter Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship "The Hollow Men": Male Grief and Trauma Following Abortion Living The Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics Moral Principles for Catholic Voters On Embryonic Stem Cell Research A Statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Pope John Paul II: Dying with Dignity Pornography: What's The Problem? A Reflection on the African American Family and the Culture of Life Respect Life Sunday 2008 Homily, St. Jude Parish, Londonderry Richard Neuhaus on Faithful Citizenship Stem Cells and Hope for Patients Stem Cell Research Special Report Freedom of Choice Act"The Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA). FOCA would establish the right to abortion as a fundamental right (like the right to free speech) and wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide. It will eradicate state and federal abortion laws that the majority of Americans support and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future. Please read the expert analysis by Americans United for Life (AUL) and sign the Fight FOCA petition at: Be sure to send this to all of your friends who support life! Thank you! January 6, 2009 The Freedom Of Choice Act – An Impending Danger to Issues of Life As the Nation prepares for the 111th Congress and a new President, a radical proposal called “the Freedom of Choice Act” (“FOCA”) will once again be introduced as legislation. This act if passed and signed into law will deny Americans of the freedom to enact any and all restraints on abortion at every stage of pregnancy and would overturn hundreds of current laws that concern many conscience rights, informed consent, partial-birth abortion and limits on tax-funded abortion. FOCA and the overall agenda that it embodies will be reintroduced in the 111th session of Congress, a Congress that will have pro-abortion majorities and a sitting President who has indicated an intention to sign FOCA into law. This measure has the potential of creating a constitutional crisis, as it would violate the separation of Church and State - challenging the theological foundations of the three great faiths (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) and our right to practice our religious beliefs without interference from any government. FOCA would place Catholic and other faith-connected hospitals, clinics and health care providers in a position of defying any law which would force the institutions and medical service providers to perform that which is against their religious beliefs. If public funds are used to finance abortions and related services, it places Catholics and other faith-based supporters of pro-life issues of being non-material co-operators, forcing them to fund that which is against their faith. The same holds true for public funding of embryonic stem cell research. This is a time for unity among all faiths and a coordinated effort of same to meet this dangerous challenge. If ever there was a time for us to draw a line in the sand - this is the time. If this battle is lost, God only knows the direction this nation will travel. Fr. Bob |
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