dJ The ARCHOR Vol. 21, No.3 - Fall River, Mass., Thurs., Jan. 20, 1977
A.n Anchor
of the Soul, Sure and Firm-St. Paul
Diocese Affirms Dignity of Life, Hope That Does Not Disappoint DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER FAll RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS January 27, 1977 Dearly beloved in Christ, Respect for the dignity of the human person is a basic princ!ple of our JudaeoChristian tradition. This principle, reflected in the United States Constitution, affirms that every person is created in God's image and endowed with certain unalienable rights. Chief among these is the right to life. There have been times in our history, however, when the basic dignity and equality of all human beings have been denied or ignored. We are living in such times. For four years now - since the fateful abortion decisions of the United States Supreme Court on January 22, 1973 - the law of our land has denied unborn children their basic right to life. In the past year alone, more than one million children have been killed by abortion in our country. The disruptive effects of the policy of permissive abortion continue to become increasingly evident. This past July, the Supreme Court ruled that a father may do nothing to protect his child from abortion once the mother has made up her mind. The Court also said that parents cannot interfere with the abortions of their teenage . daughters. Lower courts have directed that private hospitals must provide abortions, even when their own governing boards are opposed. A high government Commission has argued that public opposition to abortion for ethical reasons constitutes a threat to the First Amendment. As you know, my dear people, directly procured abortion is always morally wrong, with or without the consent of husband or parent. To weaken our moral standards as they should be reflected in law is ethically reprehensible. Various solutions have been proposed to correct the present state of affairs. None has been effective. The only realistic way to deal with this problem is to amend the Constitution in order to provide clear and unquestioned protection for unborn children. I have joined with my brother bishops in repeatedly calling for such an amendment. Though this is sure to be a time consuming and demanding effort, the difficulties and uncertainties involved do not justify tolerating a legal structure which sanctions the present massive violation of the' right to life. This year, as we mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court's tragic abortion decisions, we reaffirm to all that human life is sacred and of surpassing value. The right to life of every human being deserves protection and care by society. We urge all Catholics to take an active part in implementing the educational, pastoral and public policy aspects of the United States Bishops' Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities and to join with others in public efforts to assure constitutional protection of the right to life of all persons.
This hope does not disappoint us...
I pray that our efforts in behalf of human life will restore to public and private life those standards so dear to our religious heritage and so necessary for the moral fibre of our nation. Devotedly yours in Christ,
because God's love has been poured into our hearts ttlrough the Holy Spirit. 1977~
Fbnans:, :,
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
Bishop of Fall River
~---In
...
This Issue'-
-.
Msgr. Boyd, Man of Church
Saint Hyacinth Parish Closes
Those Kids Joy of His Life
Bishop's Ball Highlights
Meetings Are Set For Separated, Divorced
Page 3
Page 5
Page 5
Pages 8路9
Page 10