Each precious unborn in the mother’s womb proclaims through the Holy Spirit of God, “I give you thanks that I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” and “truly you have formed my inmost being — you knit me in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139.
That the precious unborn children of God are truly human beings, persons, has been our Catholic belief for ages and recently scientific technology has over and over confirmed our belief that a new human being begins at conception.
We rejoice with gratitude to God that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and in so doing, has implicitly recognized that the unborn are persons. In doing away with Roe v. Wade, the court has acted on the condition of the decision in 1973.
We remember what the court admitted in that decision, “if … personhood (for the unborn) is established, the appellant case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically (by the 14th Amendment).” The appellant case has collapsed!
We are now experiencing a truly historic victory for human life. Medical science over and over in recent years recognizes that there is a new human being in the very act of conception, which has always been our biblical belief.
Never once has the Supreme Court declared abortion as a constitutional right or as a human right, as some falsely claim. Human rights are given to us in our human nature by our creator and no government can take away these rights. Hence, as we move into the future after Roe v. Wade, governments and courts at a national and state level must respect and protect the tiny unborn persons made in God’s image and they must never be deprived of life and liberty.
The 14th Amendment clearly states: “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, … nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” This respect and love for the dignity for human life must be shown to each person from the womb to the tomb. So, as abortion continues to be discussed and debated, personhood of the unborn is the compelling issue.
All pro-lifers must strongly and clearly preach and protect this fundamental life issue of the sacredness of personhood. Governments exist to protect God-given inalienable rights, the first of which is the right to life.
Flowing from our belief and scientific evidence, both Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis have clearly stated that we must have great love and support for each new child of God and the mother. Both popes have stated that abortion is murder and Pope Francis compares abortion to the hiring of a hitman to kill an innocent human being.
Already some 26 states have enacted laws to prohibit abortion and it is hoped that many more will follow their example. At a national and every state level there are laws that condemn killing human beings, which the unborn are. Recognizing the personhood of each unborn demands that no government, no state, would act contrary to this legal fact prohibiting the killing of an innocent person, which is a crime.
Sadly, at a presidential level and many state levels, there are efforts that want to undo the divine and natural law that says you shall not kill. And many still falsely promote the evil of abortion as healthcare for women. Our own president is considering declaring abortion a public health emergency. The speaker of the House is trying to enshrine abortion on demand in federal law.
We bishops and all pro-lifers must send an unmistakable message to these pro-abortion leaders that we will never let these horrible death plans be enacted. Abortion is the opposite of women’s healthcare and is an extreme violation of human rights that come from God. Medicine is to be an act of mercy, but abortion in effect falsely says it is brutal killing in the name of mercy.
Those who espouse the chant, “My body, my choice” need to carefully understand what is stated already — that a new human life begins at conception, which both mother and father should lovingly respect. There is now “another body” with an eternal soul in the mother’s womb, distinct from the mother with a complete DNA for life, but yes, dependent on a mother’s love and care for nourishment, care and protection. This little one shouts out, “I am fearfully, wonderfully made.”
The “choice” to be made is before conception, not once the life of a tiny person begins. For a mere human to claim as a human right to destroy this tiny person usurps divine authority and demeans the loving care of our God and creator, who carefully and tenderly knits each child in a mother’s womb.
The Most Rev. Michael Pfeifer, OMI, is bishop emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo.
