The search for justice and for solidarity with the weakest and most vulnerable among us is a constant challenge for us as Christians and Catholics. That effort is part of our spiritual reality that will continue until Jesus returns in glory and judgment.

 

In that context, there is a glaring injustice and abuse of the vulnerable that our country lives with each day. I am referring to the fact that this week we will recall once more the terrible decision of Jan, 22, 1973, when the Supreme Court recognized abortion as legal in our country. 

 

In the 45 years since that unjust decision was rendered, it is estimated that more than 60 million of our brothers and sisters have been killed before they were able to take their first breath.

 

Because this tragedy has gone on for so long, our thoughts and consciences can become numb. The media and our modern culture continue to portray abortion with the worn out and unsatisfying label of a choice; a choice to allow an infant carried in the womb to live, or not. The child, we are told, has no right, no say in the decision.

 

Of course the question of abortion has not really been settled. It continues to be troubling when we think about the meaning of life before birth. And despite the best efforts of celebrities and politicians over the last half century, our consciences are still uneasy. We know it is wrong. We know unborn children bear God’s image. We know that we ourselves spent the same nine months dependent upon the love and care of our mothers. No, abortion is not right.

 

Unfortunately, this past year, in the State of Illinois, the relation of all of us to the practice of abortion took an ominous turn for the worse. 

 

Last spring, the Illinois Legislature passed House Bill 40 which, for the first time authorizes the use of our tax dollars for abortion for any reason. Then in September, after publicly promising that he would veto the bill, Gov. Bruce Rauner broke his promise and signed the bill into law.

 

Because of these horrible decisions, Illinois Right to Life estimates abortions are likely to increase by some 12,000 each year in our state. That would mean the death of that many more of the most defenseless and vulnerable. 

 

Further, the freedom of conscience of those of us who oppose this injustice is violated. We are forced to contribute to this taking of innocent human life.

 

Each year, Jan. 22 is a day for us to pray and to remember. We pray for the conversion of heart of those who engage in the abortion industry. We pray for the healing of all mothers who have had abortions, especially those living with deep regrets. 

 

We pray also for our country. It has badly strayed from the founding recognition in the Declaration of Independence of unalienable rights for all including, explicitly, the right to life.

 

This is also a time to remember. We remember those 60 million whom we will not know in this life. And we remember by engaging our political system. That is, we must remember our political representatives.

 

Because we are democratically represented, we should remember who voted as our representatives both against and for this expansion of abortion and our forced participation. 

 

We should remember them in our prayers, with our calls and letters, and remember this use of their position when elections come again.

 

So that we can recall and take our own responsibilities in a democratic society, this week a list of those who represent the area of the Diocese of Rockford and who voted for and against this bill is included above. It will help each of us to observe Jan. 22 of this year, by prayer and remembrance.