My Comments to the USCCB on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

 I am in the process of reading Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.  I hope that the bishops of this country speak and encourage parish priests to speak out on this, especially with the election following respect life month in October.  

I have long held "The issue of human life and its preservation and development is one that begins with conception and ends only when God calls a person back to himself in death. If we are consistent, then, we must be concerned about life from beginning to end. It is like a seamless garment; either it all holds together or eventually it all falls apart." by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin,  At this present moment, I see ample evidence of our country falling apart, true to Cardinal Bernadin's words.

I see that the general pro-life movement has disconnected itself from other life issues, even though  women have abortions due to other life issues, including abuse and lack of health care, thinking that abortion is their only choice. On the other hand those who champion those other life issues have listened to the screaming of the choice organizations and refuse to listen to those who work toward the elimination of abortion. Neither group respects the other because each sees the lack of respect for life shown by the other group's focus.  (The only group that I see as a viable voice is Democrats for Life, #DFLA)

Also overtaking our country is the disrespect for life by racism, bullying, violence on the part of authorities toward ethnic groups, even the denigration of political opponents as almost daily demonstrated by our president.  Add to that the ever present and increasing violence by gangs in the cities and para-military groups all over the country.  

I do not advocate not lessening the focus on abortion, but I do advocate for more emphasis on the other life issues.  This would quiet those who argue that pro-lifers are only concerned with a baby until it is born.  This would also give the country a firm idea of what it means to respect life, and that is the only way that this country will survive the abyss it has descended into.