Rejecting the Culture of Death

New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo has passed a bill in his state to allow of late term abortions - that is, abortion after 24 weeks.  Cuomo affirms that these late term abortions can only be carried out if the mother's health or life are at risk.  This leaves too much gray area for abortion practitioners to "justify" an abortion.  In Virginia, Governor Ralph Northam and Delegate Tran are pushing for late term abortions up to and including during the time of labor.  Abortion at any stage is the tragic murder of an innocent child; but an abortion during labor is ghoulish and stomach churning.  In New York, the bill implies that medical help is not necessary for a baby who survives a botched abortion.  This means that if a child survives the torture of being poisoned or torn limb from limb, then he/she will likely not receive the medical help that they so desperately need.  Virginia is trying to pass legislation similar to that of New York.  Many people who are pro-choice agree that allowing a child to die during labor or after a botched abortion is unthinkable.  Yet, these governors are very pro-abortion.  They are not only embracing the culture of death, they are promoting it and celebrating it.  

Protecting the sanctity and dignity of life from conception to natural death is a fundamental belief and principle of the Catholic faith.  Cuomo claims to be a practicing Catholic, yet he throws our fundamental belief and principle in our face by celebrating the legalization in New York to allow an innocent child to die. Many people have called for his excommunication from the Church.  Excommunication can only be imposed if the Code of Canon Law is clearly violated.  I am not a Canon Law expert.  While I personally believe that Cuomo should be excommunicated, I leave that decision with Cardinal Timothy Dolan.  I trust the Cardinal's expertise and good judgment in this matter.  

Last weekend, my husband and I bundled up our three children and took them to a "Stop Abortion Extremism #ResistInfanticide" Rally in Lorton, VA.  Alexander and Abby stood in front of the podium for an hour in chilly temperatures holding up their handmade signs.  One sign quoted Mother Teresa, "It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."  The other sign read, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you," Jeremiah 1:5.  You can see Abby in her bright pink coat and Alexander is standing next to her in a blue coat on this video. ​https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/02/watch-live-pro-life-activists-rally-to-stop-virginia-abortion-extremism/  More importantly, you can view the entire Rally and listen to the powerful speeches.

Our nation is embracing a culture of death.  It is sad that we must explain to Alexander and Abby what an abortion is.  Abby responds with sadness and Alexander questions, "how would they (the abortion practitioners) like it if someone killed them?"  I believe that we will see Roe v. Wade overturned in the near future.  I also believe that Governors, such as those from New York and Virginia, see that Roe v. Wade could be overturned and are exercising state's rights.  In the face of darkness, though, there is a light.

In the video, you can see many children gathered around the speakers podium.  These children are the future and we are witnessing a pro-life generation growing before our very eyes.  We even have a pro-life president who made historic comments in his State of the Union address calling for Congress to pass legislation that would end late term abortions.  Yes, abortion at any stage is horrific.  But as Voltaire said, "the best is the enemy of the good."  An interpretation of this quote, is "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."  Let's chunk the pro-life battle and celebrate that we have a president who is calling for an end to late term abortion.  Love him or hate him, President Trump has been a president who has fought for the pro-life cause.  Both during his State of the Union and at the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump has affirmed that "all children, both born and unborn, are made in the holy image of God." 

Let us renew our commitment to fight for the protection of all life, and for the dignity of all persons.  Let us fight with the passion of St. Joan of Arc to promote and defend the dignity and the right to life.  May we never tire of this battle.