22 September 2002
By
Fr. Michael Dolan
This week’s rationalization: “I am not pro-abortion, I am pro-choice!”
The word “choice” was deliberately chosen by the pro-abortion factions because it seems so liberating, so American. In a very real sense, it is like the word “freedom.” But as true Americans and certainly as Catholics, we must look closer and ask the question, “The choice or freedom to do what?” Is it to do what we ought or whatever we want? The former implies good; the latter can include what is bad. It goes without saying that true Americans and certainly Catholics ought to, no, must, commit themselves to do only good. Perhaps if we lived in a dictatorship and an edict came down about which we had no input or control, that an intrinsically evil act, such as abortion, was legal, you might tacitly accept that ruling. However, if, as a Catholic you were asked, you would have to stand against it, which under extreme circumstances might call for the supreme sacrifice.
In our democratic society, the situation is entirely different because your vote determines policy. A Catholic may endorse “choice” between morally good or morally neutral alternatives, but never, never shall a Catholic endorse, adjudicate, choose or legislate what is morally evil, nor give such an option to another or to society. It is gravely sinful to knowingly do so. What other people do is not only their business but also ours, especially when our action or inaction leads to an immoral option for them.
Years ago, Dr. Tietz, a statistician for the New York Health Department, said when abortion became legal in New York that some 100,000 more abortions took place in that state just because abortions had been legalized. Whom do you think were responsible for those abortions if it were not those who voted for abortion on demand, endorsed it, and legalized it?
It might be of interest to know that Margaret Sanger, the patroness of Planned Parenthood, said in her autobiography that “abortion was the wrong way—no matter how early it was performed it was taking life.” The Supreme Court didn’t heed her words in 1973, the pro-abortion minded Planned Parenthood organization does not heed her words now, nor do they listen to Dr. Bernard Nathanson now either, even though at one time he was their poster boy. You see, Nathanson, who with Lawrence Leder, a rabid anti-Catholic, started the push for legalized abortion in the early 70’s. Subsequently, he ran the biggest abortion clinic in the Western Hemisphere until he finally realized and confessed he was killing innocent babies. He has since become a strong pro-life spokesperson. While he was aborting babies, Nathanson covered his actions by claiming to be pro-choice. Don’t let anyone tell you differently, to be pro-choice is to be pro-abortion!
May God bless you always,
Father Mike
Next Week: “In this election there are other issues worthy of consideration besides abortion!”