We hopefully remember that Pope John Paul II said that we have entered into a culture of death and this must be countered by a culture of life in his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life). Just a couple of weeks ago the NJ supreme court ruled that doctors do no have to inform the prospective abortion client that abortion kills a human life. In fact, each and every abortion does kill a human being. Here are the procedures that you may or may not be aware of.
D&C, conception to 14 weeks, costing about $400, whereby the baby is dismembered by the force of a powerful vacuum. Then, there is D&E, from 14 weeks 1 day to 16 weeks, at a cost of about $650; here the baby is dismembered by forceps. From the 16th week of pregnancy to the 19th week, Laminaria I is done, costing $900. Laminaria are seaweed sticks used to dilate the opening to the womb. Babies are stuck with needles so that they produce stress hormones, and the mother starts to feel the baby move. The next procedure is Laminaria II from 19 weeks 1 day to 20 weeks 6 days which costs about $1200. At this stage it is only a few more weeks when the baby could be delivered and then adopted by a couple seeking a baby to love. It is observed through ultrasound that the baby in the womb tries to escape the instrument of abortion, and that, once contact is made, his/her mouth opens which is believed to be an unheard scream. It is reasoned that the baby victim undergoes horrible pain before death.
It is sad to know that New Jersey is ranked # 1 for abortion/teen pregnancies in the United States. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute report of last year, 60 percent of teen pregnancies in NJ end in abortion. New Jersey has the second highest abortion rate overall. There are 32.5 abortions per 1000 women aged 15 to 44; the national average is 20.4 per 1000 women. Governor Corzine rejected over $800,000 in federal Title V money earmarked for abstinence education.
There obviously is a culture of death in our state. Everyone is affected by it. When there is no desire to protect the human being in the womb, how long will protection be afforded to others?
Our Lord underwent suffering and death so that we might have life fully—here and now, and for all eternity. We must have the spirit of sacrifice that He taught us. Giving in to our desires leads to meaninglessness, loneliness, stagnancy and even death. Making little and great sacrifices for others brings meaning, real happiness and life. Let us keep our little brothers and sisters who are not yet born in our daily prayers.
Next week, October 7, is Pro-life Sunday. Because it so affects the lives of a vast number of unborn children, this column, Pastor’s Desk, will be concerned with embryonic stem cell research.
Fr. Stanley
