This is a slightly different version of the article I did for Respect Life Week for our church bulletin....

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born
I set you apart.” Jeremiah, 1:5

Sunday, February 4th marks the beginning of Respect Life Week in Manitoba. In 1970 the League for Life was organized, responding to the need for a pro-life educational group in the city. Respect Life Week was officially endorsed by the Bishop in 1983 as a time for all Churches to recognize the need to promote a respect for Life.
We must take time to reflect on God’s priceless gift of human life, and to recognize the need for greater action. It is not just about abortion, but also end of life decisions, assisted suicide, euthanasia, and now embryonic stem cell and human cloning experimentation.
As Catholics, we are mandated by our faith to uphold and promote in an ethical and moral manner the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very clear with article 2271:
God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of
safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of
themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the
moment of conception…”
The defense and promotion of Life is not the ministry of a few but the responsibility of all. It is sometimes difficult to have the courage to speak out about issues that some people believe we have no business concerning ourselves with. Pro-lifers are often portrayed as enemies of women’s rights and as opponents of freedom. This is so far from the truth! People need to be totally free from the lies and exploitation abortion offers. We need to be educated about the damage of abortion - physical, emotional and spiritual.
As caring Christians, we must focus on inspiring the hope that brings the courage to say “yes” to life. We can accomplish this most successfully through education; first of ourselves, and especially of our children. Science has proven that life begins at the moment of conception, a life entirely separate and unique from the mother. We must also educate ourselves on the realities and risks of abortion. We are called to minister in a loving and supportive way by sharing our time, talent and treasure in life affirming ways: donating items to a crisis pregnancy centre; offering support to a new mom by free babysitting occasionally; doing small errands or chores for someone elderly or even just visiting with them. Sometimes we may be called to “step out of our comfort zone”, to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8-9) and truly taking a stand for Life.



The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.
-- Dante