Every January, we are given the motivation to recall once more what will come to be recognized, if it is not already, as one of the lowest moments in our national history. On Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its decision known as Roe v Wade. 

 

The court, in a 7-2 decision, held that hidden in our Constitution is a fundamental right to choose to terminate the life of an unborn child. In clearer terms, the court legalized in the United States the right to abortion in many circumstances.

 

That means that this year we sadly recognize that this is the 48th anniversary of that decision. It is a time for us to ponder how over the centuries as Americans we have gotten so far removed from the noble experiment of the founding basis of our country. 

 

We recall that our Declaration of Independence confidently states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Now, however, in the State of Illinois we are forced to have our tax dollars used for the taking of the life of the unborn. President-elect Biden has also stated that he desires to make abortion rights what he has called “the law of the land.” In short, as a people we live in a constant and unresolvable contradiction between our founding principles and the legal decisions and the practice of our own time.

 

We hear frequently now, as a part of our political and social arguments, that we should respect the judgments of “science.” While that term is never fully defined by those who use it, it certainly seems to include medical science. In the context of the right to life, I couldn’t agree more.

 

Science has long shown us that life begins at conception. The pre-born’s heart is beating by about the fifth week of pregnancy. From the very first moment, the genetic make-up of the fetus is unique and different even from that of its mother. And anyone who sees the facial features of the child in the womb conveyed by a sonogram is looking at the features that will behold us immediately after birth.

 

In short, science confirms what faith affirms. Reason joins to our conviction, that even the unborn child shares in the gift of life and bears already the image and likeness of God.

 

In our time of social anger, disputes, divisions and the violence that have been shaking our country for months, we are reminded of the love for life that each of us needed at the beginning of our own life. That love must be the basis for the social healing that we so badly need.

 

Since I have been bishop of Rockford, each year I have tried to go to Washington D.C. for the anniversary of Roe v Wade. Every year, busloads of our young people from the Diocese of Rockford have also made that trek. In Washington, we have participated in the Mass for Life that has been celebrated annually at the Basilica of the National Shrine. The next day, typically on the anniversary, we have peacefully and joyfully marched with hundreds of thousands of others through the streets of Washington to express our support for the life of the unborn.

 

This year, because of the COVID-19 virus, many of us must forgo the march in Washington. But to continue our prayer, our positive witness and our advocacy, I will offer a Mass locally on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Huntley. Please join us personally if possible, or through the livestream but certainly join us in your prayers.

 

May God bless and grant success to our efforts to honor His gift of human life.