Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Pro-Life or Whole-Life?


Amid the sound-biting that occurs in modern politics, naming the issue is perhaps one of the most important strategies in advancing moral causes.  We Catholics committed to life, from its natural beginnings to its natural end and all the moments of vulnerability in between, are frequently challenged by the painful politics of the pro-life debate.

In Monday's Washington Post, presidential candidate Sam Brownback introduced a new term into the discussion.  Perhaps his contribution will not get much attention, for his campaign is not garnering that publicity of other candidates.  However, his column here may help the conversation.  

As Catholics may be dismissed for being one-issue voters when it comes to the all-important question of life, this new term that Brownback uses for our long-standing position may help.  We are, after all, committed--among other things--to ending abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell transplanting, war, poverty, underemployment, environmental abuse, the spread of preventable disease, and supporting the sick, hungry, vulnerable, undereducated, uninsured, immigrants, and homeless.  This inclusive approach to life is Catholic, and it is represented in our Catholic social teaching.  

Is this new term, "whole-life," helpful for our position?










No comments: