Sanctity of Life Sunday Part I

The following is an excerpt from a talk given by Lisa McNerney, the Respect Life Ministry head of St. John Neumann parish:



Today our nation recognizes "The Sancitity of Human Life Sunday" and for the remainder of the month we will honor life. The Magisterium of the Catholic Church, th USCCB and our Bishop have proclaimed that the fundamental pro-life issues: embryonic stem cell research and human cloning; euthanasia and abortion are pre-eminent and the foundation of all other rights.

Pope Benedict the XVI has said, "there may be a legitamate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however....with regard to abortion and euthanasia."

Today we resolve to create a culture of life where the most vulnerable amonst us; our aged, our sick and dying, persons with disabilities and birth defects, and our unborn children are all granted the same rights that our country was founded upon, most criticaly, the fundamental and inaliable right to life.

This week marks the 36th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade where in conjunction with its twin case, Doe vs. Bolton, abortion became legal throughout all 9 months of pregnancy for virtually any reason. I repeat, in our country today...abortion is leagal up until birth. In essense, "abortion on demand", became the law of the land. On the tragic day of 9/11/2001 over 3,000 innocent lives were ended. This was an unspeakable evil that we will never forget and rightfully so. But did you also know that every single day in America over 4.000 innocent lives are ended by abortion? With nearly 50 million abortions haven taken place in our country alone, this is a human rights issue of astronomic proportions and it is being referred to as America's Genocide. Not only does abortion take a life, but thousands of women and men have been devasted by it and are now remaining "Silent No More". We must never underestimate the suffering that these mom's and dad's and extended relatives endure.