Respect Life

My Sisters & Brothers in the Lord:

Life is the heart and goal of Jesus’ message and mission. This life is lovingly received and proclaimed by the Church day by day. The Church’s liturgy and celebration of the Sacraments opens human life to the fullness of divine life. The Church’s message is that of Jesus: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” Our Respect Life observance each October is especially significant this year as we remember with sorrow the events of September 11th; face the spread of violence and possible war in the Middle East; hear daily reports of violence and abuse to human life and prepare for the coming elections which impact on every phase of human life. What a privileged responsibility we have in our hands, the God-given and precious gift of life.

As we reflect on the value and dignity of life, we are dismayed that one million abortions each year destroy the lives of our most innocent and vulnerable children. Every human life must be respected and defended, from the moment of conception to natural death. Created in God’s image, we acknowledge Him as the author of life. We are life’s privileged stewards.

The Gospel of Life is clearly stated by our bishops in the National Plan for Life: “We must begin with a commitment never to intentionally kill or collude in the killing of any innocent human life, no matter how broken, unformed, disabled, or desperate that life may seem.” The direct destruction of human life prior to birth and during delivery, destruction of human embryos and assisted suicide or euthanasia and all violence against innocent persons are morally wrong.

Since September 11th the entire world and we continue to be inspired by heroic sacrifices for human life by countless men and women; police, fire-fighters, medical personnel, clergy, counselors and a host of volunteers. Many other leaders in business, communications and government consistently promote and defend the Gospel of Life. As Catholics we believe the Gospel of Life is not a private matter. The U.S. bishops have stated that we “must live it vigorously and publicly, or we will not live it at all.” Abortion may be legal but it is not moral. Nations, as well as individuals, are subject to natural law and a higher law, that of God.

I vigorously reaffirm the value of human life and its inviolability. In the name of God I invite each Catholic and person of good will to respect, protect and serve life; every human life! Each life is destined to eternal life with God, to be reverenced in our hearts and defended in our words and actions if we are to be faithful to the Gospel. Only in this way will we find justice, true freedom, peace and happiness.

Yours in the service of life,

Carl F. Mengeling Bishop of Lansing