Editorial

We are called to cherish, serve, defend and protect human life

We are less than a week away from October, which the Church marks as Respect Life Month.

It is a time for people of faith to reflect on the gift of life and for us to remind society that we respect all human life—from conception to natural death.

We’ve said it before, but it’s worth sharing again: those lives include the unborn, the hungry, the homeless, the elderly—even the prisoner on death row. God loves each of us unconditionally, and as his disciples, we are called to do the same.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) each October selects a theme for this initiative. In 2020, it is “Live the Gospel of Life: to imitate Christ and follow in his footsteps” from St. John Paul II’s “Evangelium Vitae” (#51).

“This prophetic document passionately reaffirmed the Church’s constant teaching on the value and sacredness of every human life,” wrote Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “It remains a foundational text for all our efforts to ensure that the life of every human person is protected and cherished.”

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson will celebrate the archdiocesan annual Respect Life Sunday Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis, at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 4. The Mass will also be available via livestream at www.ssppc.org/streaming.

Life Chain events will also take place throughout central and southern Indiana on Oct. 4.

Life Chain events are peaceful and prayerful public witnesses of individuals standing for 60-90 minutes praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that human life is sacred from the moment of conception until natural death. Learn more about the Life Chain Network and other event locations at LifeChain.net. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Indianapolis Life Chain event has been canceled.

We also take time especially in October to pray outside Planned Parenthood facilities for an end to abortion during the fall 40 Days for Life campaign, whose three pillars are prayer, fasting and community outreach.

The Central Indiana 40 Days for Life campaign is taking place on the public right-of-way outside of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility at 8590 Georgetown Road, in Indianapolis. To sign up to pray, go to www.40daysindy.org. For more information, contact Timothy O’Donnell at 317-372-0040 or idipsumsapere@me.com.

In Bloomington, the 40 Days for Life campaign is taking place on the public right-of-way outside of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility at 421 S. College Ave. To sign up to pray, go to www.40daysforlife.com/bloomington. For more information, contact Deacon Russell Woodard at 812-526-9460 or deaconrussw@gmail.com.

For more information or to sign up at other sites, go to www.40daysforlife.com. The campaign runs through Nov. 1.

Those who take part in 40 Days for Life campaigns are encouraged to follow the COVID-19 protocols in their local area. For most, that will mean wearing a mask and keeping 6 feet apart to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

During a 40 Days for Life opening rally on Sept. 20 at St. Louis de Montfort Parish in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese, O’Donnell cited statistics that demonstrate how the efforts are bearing fruit.

Currently, 63 countries are taking part in the 40 Days for Life prayer initiative, and 17,226 babies have been saved to date through the worldwide initiative.

“Those are the ones we know of,” said O’Donnell, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Kokomo, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese. In central and southern Indiana campaigns, he added, an estimated 100 babies have been saved.

“You are the sign that God is using … telling a woman to not have an abortion,” he continued. “It is that witness that will help change minds and hearts.”

Larry Kunkel, a member of St. Louis de Montfort Parish, agreed, adding standing up for the unborn is a “spiritual battle” worth fighting.

“We know the truth,” said Kunkel, who serves as the life director for the Indiana State Council of the Knights of Columbus. “We need to tell that truth.

“What we see as obstacles, God sees as a divine opportunity,” added Kunkel, who also serves as a sidewalk counselor outside of abortion centers.

If we are to live out the Gospel, as Archbishop Naumann tells us, that means cherishing, serving defending and protecting human life.

He adds, “May we always strive to ‘see in every human face the face of Christ’ [#81] and treat each person as we would treat Christ himself.”

—Mike Krokos