Editorial

Be a light to help overcome the darkness of abortion

It has been 48 years since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in our country.

And that day—Jan. 22, 1973—will live in infamy for those of us who are committed to the tenet of our Catholic faith, where we are called to protect every human life from conception to natural death.

For many of us, it is hard to fathom the more than 62 million unborn children’s lives taken from the womb by this evil. It is heartbreaking to see that statistic increase year after year, with no end in sight.

Yet, some in society continue to insist that doing this is OK, that we’re no worse off by extinguishing precious little ones who never had a chance to live the lives God had planned for them.

What’s wrong with this sentiment? Everything, if you believe each of us is created in the image and likeness of God.

We again marked this tragic anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by celebrating Masses, holding virtual prayer rallies, and taking part in scaled-down marches, including the national March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Although attendance at similar gatherings throughout the U.S.—including in Indianapolis—was down because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions related to it, the message was the same: We must continue to stand up for life, be voices for the voiceless, and plant seeds of wisdom and understanding to convert those hardened hearts that don’t fully comprehend the evil they support. Our efforts are about continuing to build a culture of life.

Sadly, many would say our challenges have taken on new meaning with a Catholic serving as the leader of our country.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, head of the U.S. bishop’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion “religiously and ethically incoherent” during his homily at the opening Mass of the annual National Prayer Vigil for Life on Jan. 28 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

The president “proudly professes to be a devout Catholic even as he promises to codify Roe v. Wade, seeks to force American taxpayers to fund abortions ... and desires to force the Little Sisters of the Poor to provide contraceptives and abortifacients in their employee health plans,” said Archbishop Naumann of Kansas City, Kan.

“Sadly, President Biden is the perfect example of the religiously and ethically incoherent straddle: claiming to believe that human life begins at conception and personally opposing abortion, while doing everything within his power to promote and institutionalize abortion not only in the U.S.A., but also around the world.”

We believe prayers for President Biden where unborn children are concerned are of paramount importance. The injustice of these policies must come to an end.

But our work must not end there.

We must continue our mission of educating those who think abortion is OK, helping them better understand how precious each and every unborn life is. We are, after all, our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

During the Archdiocese of Washington’s annual “Rally and Mass for Life” prior to the annual March for Life on Jan. 29, speakers used YouTube and other social media platforms to encourage young people from across the country to rally, pray and stand up for life. The virtual rally and Mass were celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington.

The youth rally prior to the liturgy focused on training young people how to engage in civil dialogue and pro-life apologetics.

Josh Brahm, president and co-founder of Equal Rights Institute—a national organization training pro-life advocates to think, reason and argue persuasively—urged young people to “utilize practical dialogue” when speaking of the pro-life movement.

In a series of videos, he taught “three essential skills” for presenting a pro-life argument: asking clarification questions then responding with your own thoughts; listening to understand and finding genuine common ground when possible; and making a compelling argument for the rights of the unborn.

It is advice we can all use in our pro-life efforts.

As we continue this mission, may we all let the light of faith shine through us to help overcome the darkness of abortion.

—Mike Krokos