Abortion is a wedge issue because it separates a mother from her child. Abortion, at its core, is a destruction of the family, the “cell of society” as St. John Paul II described it in his “Letter to Families.” The family is a cell in the sense that it is where life begins and is nurtured, and these cells comprise the body of society. Systematically destroy the cells, and the body dies.
Opposition to abortion is part of seeking true social justice simply because laws that allow abortion allow injustice to be perpetuated against the most defenseless members of society. In his autobiography, Frederick Douglass frequently reflects on the effects that slavery had on the entire United States.
Even though this evil practice was legal only in the South, the whole country was affected by the brutalization and dehumanization of the human person. We see the lingering effects today. In the same way, abortion teaches society that human life may be snuffed out as a matter of choice and convenience. No other issue has the same weight or the same effect. It is a rejection of truth, of beauty, and ultimately of God.
Pope Francis, following his predecessors, encourages Catholics to work for and love the common good. There are some things that prevent the common good from ever being attained. An unjust law, especially one that allows violence against the weak under the guise of “freedom,” is one of these things.
Because of its nature, its effect, its frequency, and the fact that the law celebrates it as “liberty,” abortion is the preeminent issue of our day. And as we would not compromise with slavery, we must never compromise with abortion.
Matthew Bosnick is a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte.
Please call your state legislators and ask them to oppose H.134, which would allow conceal-carry permit holders to bring handguns into church-affiliated schools.
Parents, teachers, principals and pastors oppose allowing firearms because of the danger of leaving these weapons unlocked and unguarded, or having them firing accidentally. In one instance in Texas last January, a person who brought a gun to a church was disarmed and the gun used to kill him and injure others. In other instances, “good guys” with guns accidentally shot people they were trying to help or innocent bystanders.
In an FBI study of 160 active shooter incidents from 2000 to 2013, only one was stopped by an individual with a valid firearm permit.
Gun violence is a pro-life issue which affects the United States much more than any other developed country. From 30,000 to 40,000 Americans die by firearms each year and many more are injured. We need universal background checks with no loopholes, a ban on assault weapons for civilians, and “red-flag’’ laws to keep firearms from felons, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, but we need to honor them with action, too.
Janet Zaccarelli lives in Mooresville.