Respect Life Month

10-06-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend kicks of Respect Life Month in our Church with the Gospel of Life annual collection. The US Catholic Bishops teach, “The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia.

The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.”

In this statement we are reminded of the dignity of every human life. That the dignity of life is inherent because it is created by God. The value of life is not dependent on its health, utility, or productivity, but rather because of its very existence. Human life is beautiful because it is directly connected to a creator. It is for this reason the Church has and will always defend human life from conception until natural death.

Since the fall of man, the great human weakness is to view others for their purpose, what they can or cannot do for me or society. This is very dangerous and leads to treating human life in a utilitarian manner. With this thinking, your value is based on what you can do rather than what you are - a human being, created in the image and likeness of God. As I like to remind people, we are NOT human doers, we are human a beings. The world’s unwanted are wanted and loved by God and we, as Christians, show loving respect to the unwanted, undervalued, mistreated and innocent.

This parish community has a wonderful Sanctity of Life ministry that is a representation of our commitment to the dignity of human life. Take time this month to say a prayer, educate yourself more about the many threats to human dignity and human life and support in some way the gift of life. Thank you for your commitment of life.

It is no surprise to you that we are in an election year. You are reminded every time you turn on the TV, drive down the street, check the mail, or look at your phone. I want the parish to be a place of where we focus on God – not politics. The Church must always refrain from partisan politics and supporting individual candidates. At the same time, I like to remind people of the importance for individual Catholics to be involved and engaged as faithful citizens. We carry our Catholic faith into the world by educating ourselves and forming our conscience. What we must avoid though is allowing the politics of the world to seep into our Church. We have one King and Savoir and that is Jesus Christ. My favorite lawn sign this year is one that says Jesus Christ 2024!

Having said that, there are two important propositions on the ballot in the State of Arizona that threaten human life and its dignity. The first is Proposition 139 that threatens to enshrine a constitutional right to unrestricted abortion in Arizona. It will change current safeguards in place for minor girls and women at abortion clinics. It could likely permit a minor to have an abortion without parental involvement or permission. It would allow for painful late-term abortion of viable pre-born children. The Bishops of Arizona are encouraging us to oppose this proposition because of its direct threat to the unborn human life. We must remain committed to women, family and the unborn. We value all life.

The other is Proposition 314 which seems well intentioned because it seeks to address the challenges at the Arizona – Mexico border. Of course this impacts Arizona greatly, but there is great risk in having state and local law enforcement responsible for enforcing what should be the role of the federal immigration authorities. The Bishops of Arizona oppose this proposition because of the potential threat to human dignity and the fear it can cause to victims of crime and witnesses who may not seek out law enforcement or report crimes of abuse. Good, fair and just federal immigration reform is what will change the border challenges. We protect the dignity of all human life.

Again, I want the parish to be place of respite and strength for you as you carry your Catholic faith into the world. Above all, we treat one another with dignity and respect first. It starts in our daily lives and interactions and then impacts the greater community. We give thanks to God for all life and strive to always respect the dignity of our brothers and sisters created in His image and likeness.

Peace in Him,

Fr. Fred

Links to video and statements on the Propositions. azcatholicconference.org