Christianity Today sent this article that features an excellent piece by Most Reverend Salvatore Joseph Cordileone Archbishop of San Francisco.
As a conservative, Evangelical Protestant I found the whole compendium of information confirming and helpful. Here are the links to the items referred to in the emailed article from C.T. followed by some quotations I gleaned from it.
https://albertmohler.com/2021/05/06/briefing-5-6-21?mc_cid=ed527e4864&mc_eid=20aa58364c
or
https://sfarchdiocese.org/documents/2021/5/Pastoral_Letter_LetterSize_0501.1.pdf?mc_cid=ed527e4864&mc_eid=20aa58364c
(This article by Cordileone is excellent)
”. . . abortion is not a “Christian” or “Catholic” issue:
the dignity of the human person is a value that is, or should be, affirmed by
us all.”
“Because an embryo is a unique and developing human organism, it follows that she or he possesses an inherent right to life from the moment of conception. Thus, the violent invasion of the act of abortion ends a human life.”
“This does not mean that we seek to impose our religious
beliefs on others, but it does mean that our religious understanding of the
human person as created in the image and likeness of God deepens our resolve to
join hands with others, regardless of religious convictions or lack of them, to
serve, teach, heal, and protect the human community, especially those most in
need. We share with others the conviction that human dignity is innate; but we
also believe it is of inestimable value.”
“Our increasingly polarized and uncivil society manifests a
lack of respect for “the other” across a broad spectrum of issues. . . .”
“Formal cooperation in evil is never morally justified. For
decades now western culture has been in denial about the harsh reality of
abortion. The topic is swathed in sophistries by its advocates and discussion
about it is forbidden in many venues.”
“There are important lessons here, to be
sure. One lesson must be this: There will be theologians who seem
ever ready to find a way to subvert the teachings of their church, even as they
seek to remain in its employ and trust. The second lesson is like unto
the first: There will ever be politicians who are looking for political
cover, and will gladly receive this cover from those willing to subvert their
church's teaching. These lessons are by no means limited to the Roman
Catholic Church.”
My observation is that people have grown weary of the abortion issue. Other more popular issues now have taken the place of protecting the lives of the unborn in many Christian's thinking. Being-tired-of is not the foundation of good ethics.
