January 22, 1990 Abortion has become the fundamental human rights issue for all men and women of good will at this stage of our nation's history. The existence and development of the unborn child as a member of human society can no longer be ignored. The impact of denying moral or legal status to him or her, or to any other class of human beings because of their age or condition of dependency is profound. It affects all of us, both in how we respect others, and in what respect we will receive from others. Abortion is a divisive issue in society today. We who revere human life as being created in the image and likeness of God must continue to stand up for the life of these, the least of our brothers and sisters. They are indeed the most vulnerable and defenseless members of our society. There can be no "choice" to destroy their lives. Today we recognize the seventeenth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, which removed from unborn children the protection of the law. Last July, the same court in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services gave us reason to hope that some of that protection may be restored. Whatever encouragement we might draw nationally from this, here in Florida the situation is different. The Governor has taken strong leadership in the cause of the life of the unborn child, but committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives have thwarted every effort to restore any semblance of dignity or protection for unborn children. It is especially disappointing that no debate was even permitted on this vital question. More ominously, the Florida Supreme Court has construed the Florida Constitution to guarantee a greater right to abortion than the federal one. The Florida court struck down a requirement of parental consent that met the federal requirements. Despite the difficulties, we must take heart. The right to life of unborn children has been advanced greatly in the last seventeen years. The court decision and the legislative impasse must be overcome, and we pledge our support for that effort through the implementation of our Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities. In doing so we cannot ignore the consequences of pregnancy on women and girls who consider abortion. Pregnancy does have a serious effect on the woman's life, education, career and role in society. It often greatly affects her own self image as well as the way others regard her. But that pregnancy also involves the life and well-being of another human being, her unborn child. The burden that the child's life places upon her must not be borne by her alone, but must be shared by the child's father and by all of society. The economic burdens of health care and of work related losses should be shared by all. The dioceses in Florida continue to stand ready to assist in this. Enlightened employment policies should relieve the burdens of that pregnancy. Policies of educational institutions should recognize the dignity and the concerns of pregnant women and girls. And family, neighbors and the state all have a role in alleviating their burdens. But recognition of these burdens should in no way justify the taking of a human life, and that is what abortion is all about. We renew our commitment to the implementation of the Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities. We reaffirm our diocesan pro-life/respect life offices, and all of the people that work on the diocesan and parish level to implement the plan. Through prayer, penance and commitment, let us end the scourge of abortion. Edward A. McCarthy Thomas J. Grady W. Thomas Larkin John J. Snyder J. Keith Symons Thomas V. Daily John J. Nevins Agustin A. Roman Norbert M. Dorsey |