The Narrow and Crooked Path of Pro-Life Ethics.
Finally had a little time today to be on an actual narrow and crooked path circling Tipsaw Lake. I spent some time thinking about the current state of things and the profound and sad divisions that exist in our nation and even in our Church. As a Catholic, being pro-life is important to me not just by virtue of my faith but because of what it means to be human. Perhaps it is in a radical pro-life stance that we can find commonality and a bridge to span our divisions. So, what does being pro-life mean in our contemporary context? None of what follows is original to me, it’s rooted in centuries of Catholic moral tradition and teaching.
What does it mean, then, to be pro-life in our world today?
Black lives really do matter! And for those who don’t know what this means, it’s simple. The lives of black people are precious and sacred in God’s eyes. And that means that black lives matter.
Abortion is a great tragedy and we should work for a world where the unborn are recognized as human beings with the right to be welcomed into a world where they will continue to be valued, nurtured, and provided for all they need.
Closely related is providing the necessary support for parents, especially mothers, with adequate pre- and post- natal health care for themselves and their children. Quality education for children is also a critical life issue.
Speaking of health care, it should be considered an essential human right, accessible to all without destroying a family’s financial security.
The very serious problem of food insecurity must be solved. Because of the pandemic the numbers in 2020 are worse than the 11% of Americans in 2018 who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. And like the pandemic, food insecurity affects people of color disproportionately more than white people.
The pandemic provides its own challenge to a pro-life ethic. Following the recommendations of scientists and public health experts is not an option for pro-life people; it is an expectation. Masking, social distance, and pandemic hygiene are simple ways to love one’s neighbor and respect human life.
The scourge of COVID-19 reminds us that pro-life respect must be extended to the elderly and those who are vulnerable to the most serious effects of the virus. The elderly, those with disabilities, the chronically ill are not disposable.
In fact, no human is disposable, including those who have committed horrendous crimes. Contemporary pro-life respect must include those on death row. The death penalty is a barbaric practice of a society that has no answers to our most serious social problems.
Refugees must be provided an open and effective process to bring themselves and their families to safety. Migrants, even those who are undocumented, must be respected and provided humane access to housing, food, and healthcare. With limited exceptions, migrant children should remain with their families. It’s the pro-life thing to do.
How we treat the marginalized in our community sheds light on our commitment to pro-life ethics. This is especially true for how we treat individuals with regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. Suicide rates are higher among LGBT youth because of discrimination, harassment, and fear of rejection.
In general, suicide rates remain a serious problem that demands a pro-life response, especially for veterans, the young, and the elderly. Adequate mental health care is out of reach for many in our communities.
The last pro-life consideration is the respect we owe to the world/universe around us. The climate is changing; there is no question of that. Without a healthy planet, life is threatened, including human life. A contemporary pro-life ethic includes a deep respect for all of creation.
There are obviously more than twelve ways that today’s circumstances call for a radical pro-life stance. Perhaps if we can all agree that every human life has value we can limit our disagreements to differences in policies and approaches on how best to support and protect human life. I don’t expect everyone to agree with how I framed these issues. That’s ok, but I do think, at least for my fellow Catholics, that we can agree that these are all legitimate pro-life issues. Feel free to add your own views in the comments, but keep them non-political please.