THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

January 7, 2007

The Good News

...Life

Life! What is it? What is it all about? Two months ago in traveling to Rome, I had to change planes in Paris. Arriving at my gate with an hour to spare, I walked up and down the concourse just looking. The first item to catch my attention was a rather attractive display. The large bold letters read “Help us to save life!” WWF International. Immediately to the left of that statement was the picture of a cute little panda. Underneath this poster was a much larger panda         statue. This panda statue was lying on his back with his four paws in an upright position. Resting on the paws of the panda was a large globular bowl with a slot on the top to receive donations. The request for donations was accompanied by the mission statement of WWF International. It read: “To protect threatened environment. To protect threatened animal and plant species.” The bowl was one-third filled with hundreds of American dollars and European euros.

I stood at the display in amazement. I copied the above description and wording and walked away saddened.  

I walked away saddened, not because I don’t like pandas. I do think they are cute. I walked away saddened because I don’t see the same concern for baby children. The bold challenge “help us to save life” was expressly limited to “threatened environment and threatened animal and plant species.” Clearly, human babies, unborn children, were excluded from this public international project. And so it is with so much of the public perception and attitude today.

I couldn’t help thinking of the threatened children in the wombs of mothers who planned to abort them.  I couldn’t help thinking of the children who would be born but abandoned, neglected or abused. I thought of all the children who would never receive religious instruction or formation. When I see a sign inviting me to “help us save life,” I focus on the most beautiful and sacred and dignified life on this earth — the life of the human being.  This is the only life that is made in the Image and Likeness of God.  This is the life that was created by God to share in His life forever. Human life is the life incorporated into the life of God through His eternal Son Jesus, who said:  “I am the Way, I am the Truth, I am the Life.” He also proclaimed, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

Every human life is created by God. Every human being is here for a purpose. Made in the Image and Likeness of God, every human being is sacred and is called to a life of fulfillment in God. Jesus made that fulfillment possible by His own life, death and resurrection.

The statement “Help us save life” must be a special challenge for us who believe in the intrinsic dignity of every human being. For us today, it is an urgent call that demands our immediate response. To respect life, to save life, is a priority because the right to life of human beings is the foundation upon which all other rights and obligations rest.

For years, together with the entire Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States, I have relentlessly urged you, the Catholic people of this Archdiocese, to become personally committed to a pro-life stance. This includes a deep and abiding respect for human life at all stages and in all circumstances.  Today I renew that call to all of you in a specific manner.  Whether you are young or old, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged or older people, I invite all of you to participate in two particular pro-life events.

Monday, Jan. 22, together with the other bishops of our country, I call you to observe a special day of Penance.  This day of Penance is to be offered for the violations to the dignity of the human person. It is to be a day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.

On Jan. 24, I will celebrate a Sanctity of Life Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady.  The Mass will begin at 6 p.m. and is followed by a one-hour program. I invite you to join us for this two-hour period. Mass at 6 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

Please join me in these two observances, the Sanctity of Life Mass and the Day of Penance and Prayer.  Please respond to the Church’s call:  “Help us to save life.”