by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann
Earlier this month, President Biden stated that his number one legislative priority for 2023 was a federal law that would make it legal to kill unborn children in all 50 states.
A few days later, President Biden expressed support for federal funding for anyone needing to take off work to procure an abortion. This was his major talking point for encouraging Americans to elect members of his party to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
President Biden couched his support for abortion in the antiquated term of being pro-choice. Evidently, the president forgot that this is no longer the preferred language of abortion supporters. Pro-choice was the term that was used in the old days before abortion advocates began to claim that killing one’s children is a fundamental right and is basic health care.
President Biden forgot that his administration supports coercing every American to participate in the killing of children in the womb by using federal tax dollars to pay for abortion. He forgot that he supports coercing Catholic hospitals to provide abortions and forcing doctors and nurses, who conscientiously object to abortion, to have to participate in abortion procedures.
Not to be considered a single-issue president, this administration is outspoken regarding so-called transgender rights, which include minors being given hormonal blockers without parental consent.
The president’s education department is already attempting to force secondary and elementary schools to indoctrinate students in gender ideology. The president’s Justice Department has attempted to intimidate and silence parents who object to gender ideology being inflicted on their children. Again, all of this is being done in the name of choice.
St. John Paul reminded the world that authentic freedom has to be anchored in truth. Without accepting there are truths accessible to everyone through reason, we devolve into what Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI called the tyranny of relativism.
The biggest dangers for our nation are not inflation, rising interest rates or other threats to our economy. Hostile external threats from nations like Russia or China are not the most serious enemies to our culture and society.
In my opinion, what should concern us most is the moral breakdown of our society, where sexual freedom is considered the supreme good, the killing of our own children a sacred right, and the abolition of marriage and family viewed as cultural progress.
I do agree with President Biden on at least one issue. I believe that we are in a battle for the soul of our nation. Unfortunately, the president is fighting for the wrong side.
We need to pray for the enlightenment and conversion of President Biden. His advocacy for abortion, gender ideology and government usurpation of parental rights are not only opposed to Catholic moral teaching but the violation of the most fundamental of human rights.
We need to engage in the battle for the soul of our nation by being active citizens who take the right to vote seriously. We must choose wisely those who will represent and lead our nation.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to look with kind and merciful eyes upon the woman who procured an abortion, the man who deserted his pregnant girlfriend, the father who failed to mentor and support his child, the man living a gay lifestyle, the young woman who will use hormonal blockers in an effort to become a man and the politician who supports public policies that deny the most fundamental of human rights.
Though we may disagree strongly with many of the behaviors and beliefs of others, we recognize them as children of a most loving Father and of such value in the eyes of God that Jesus gave his life on Calvary. We must speak the truth, but always with compassion and mercy.
At the same time, we have a responsibility to do our best to protect the sanctity of human life wherever it is threatened. In the battle for the soul of our nation, we must choose to be on the side that cherishes the beauty of every human life.
Sitting on the sidelines is not an option for a true Catholic. Jesus never promised his disciples that following him would be easy. However, Our Lord promised that he would be with his followers until the end of time. We are never alone. In the words of Jesus echoed by Pope St. John Paul: Be not afraid!
Stay tuned as the conversation continues in next week’s Leaven column regarding our obligation to approach contemporary issues as followers of Christ, recognizing the innate dignity of every person made in the image and likeness of God.
