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John Paul II |
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Joannes Paulus II |
When over 6,000 pro-life pilgrims were assembled in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC for the Vigil Mass marking the 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton the following message from Pope John Paul II was read. The Holy Father extended his thoughts and prayers to our nation that night, (January 1998) through his apostolic nuncio Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan. Before the Mass, the Archbishop read aloud a special message from Pope John Paul II to Cardinal Law marking this somber anniversary. His words transcend the occasion and speak to each of our hearts.
As you, your Brother Bishops and great numbers of the faithful from throughout the United States gather at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to pray for an end to the tragedy of abortion in your country, I assure you of my spiritual closeness and my sharing in your concern for the continuing holocaust of innocent human lives. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the decision which effectively legalized abortion on demand in the United States is a call to people of good will to reflect seriously on the devastating consequences of that step. Now is the time for recommitment to the building of a culture of absolute respect for life from conception to natural death.
As the experience of the past twenty-five years has shown, legalized abortion has been a destructive force in the lives of many individuals, especially women who are often left alone to bear the deep sorrow and regret which follows the decision to destroy the life of an unborn child. But the proliferation of procured abortion has also had deleterious effects on society at large, not least in a weakening of respect for the life of the elderly and the infirm, and a coarsening of the moral sense. When the killing of the innocent is sanctioned by law, the distinction between good and evil is obscured and society is led to justify even such clearly immoral procedures as partial-birth abortion.
Amid the grave threats to human dignity and freedom represented by abortion, euthanasia and other crimes against God's gift of life, it is a positive sign of the times that, through the efforts of a broad spectrum of concerned citizens, there has been a gradual mobilization of consciences in support of life. As part of this great affirmation of the Gospel of Life, I urge you to continue your praiseworthy efforts to educate people about the evil of abortion, to offer counsel, encouragement and help to women and families to difficult situations, and to continue to seek full legal protection for the unborn.
In particular, I call upon young men and women to involve themselves in this great campaign in defense of God's gift of life. You are a sign of hope to the Church and the world. Do not be discouraged or afraid! The Risen Lord calls us all to proclaim, celebrate and serve life, and he will give us the strength to accomplish his will.
In union with all who have assembled to pray for a new culture of life in the United States and throughout the world, I place this intention before Mary Immaculate, Mother of the Redeemer. As a pledge of joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.
Joannes Paulus II
A note from the Web Master:
It is noteworthy and honorable that some folks are willing to stand up for a ban on Partial-Birth Abortion. Let us not forget that ordinary everyday run of the mill abortion is also murder. We must understand that murder is murder no matter the method. Because one method of abortion seems to be horrible does not make the other methods less so. We should be horrified and sickened by any abortion regardless of the method. The Fifth Commandment spells it out clearly:
"Thou shalt not kill."
A fetus is a person, a human being with a God given soul. Imagine the pain the Lord must feel when any abortion occurs. Please contact both of your Senators and Representative, via letter or phone, to let them know how horrified you are that abortions are legal and to stop Partial-Birth abortions and all other abortions as soon as possible.
(It has become apparent that they do not respond to
email therefore you will have more of an impact by writing or telephoning.)
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