April 3, 2009
The Bishop's Forum
The Right to Life: Support the Right to Life in all ways!
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
The right to life is neither discretionary nor subject to one’s personal choice, opinion or political stance. It is inviolable!
President Barack Obama has made it clear that he has chosen both the route of personal choice and political stance. Both his actions and his stance are contrary to the right to life. He has assumed a role that is reserved to God alone, the Author of all life.
In recent days it came to light in the public media that the speaker for the Vanderburgh County Right to Life banquet, chosen by its board of directors, was one Michael Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Committee elected by the Republican Party leadership. He is a Catholic of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. He was elected by his Republican peers to serve in that capacity. He purports to be “pro-life.”
In a GQ magazine interview, Mr. Steele was either careless or allowed his true feelings about “a woman’s right to choose abortion.” Upon learning of my objections and intention not to attend the Annual Right to Life Banquet, Mr. Steele called me. I returned his call and engaged in a pleasant conversation. He subsequently sent me a copy of his statement which he had released after his magazine interview drew national media attention.
My conversation with Mr. Steele was most cordial. However, it left me convinced that his approach to “the right to life” and the matter of “choice” was that of political expediency, not clearly from the inviolate principle of the right to life for all, in particular for the unborn.
Subsequently, I wrote a letter to Ms. Mary Ellen Van Dyke, a Catholic of St. John the Evangelist Church in Daylight and the Executive Director of the Vanderburgh County Right to Life and responsible for the annual banquet. She was already aware of my intention not to attend the banquet transmitted to her via Jim Collins, Director of Catholic Charities.
The Vanderburgh Right to Life leadership has had ample time to release Mr. Steele from his contract. The board has received confirmation that Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, will make a guest appearance at the banquet.
As of this writing on Saturday, March 28, 2009, I have received no response to my request for counsel from Ms. Van Dyke and the Board of the Vanderburgh Right to Life.
(To be transparent in this matter, both the nationally publicized statement of Mr. Steele and my letter to Ms. Van Dyke are found herein. )
Needless to say, I have received many responses, challenges and disagreements, from you, our faithful — and some from as far away as Maryland and beyond. My point is that there is misinformation afoot including a headline in the local press: “Bishop Boycotts Banquet.” It is a cute headline. It provides fluid alliteration but it is false.
Here is my plea to all readers: Support the Vanderburgh County Right to Life Banquet. Even if you, as I, choose not to attend, please send your contribution to help support the educational efforts, services and programs. I intend to do so and I will increase my gift from last year. Make certain that your gift is tax-deductible.
The protection of all life from conception to natural death is a critical issue for our time. Each of us must assume responsibility to protect it in whatever manner we can. We cannot waffle on the matter! There is but one choice: life!
In emails and phone calls, some have interpreted that “I am forbidding” them to go to the banquet. That is incorrect. Please go! Please be generous as it is a fund raising event.
Lastly, if Mr. Steele does not appear, then I will be present and will be honored to do the closing blessing invoking God’s blessing on all the efforts of Vanderburgh Right to Life to protect all life as I was originally invited to do. If it is clear that Mr. Steele is to attend, my position is clear.
Lives of the unborn and of the handicapped and elderly and condemned living should never be a political issue. Tragically it has become so. Even more disappointing is that both the Democratic and Republican Parties have pandered to all who desire “choice” for whatever a person might choose.
For the politically naïve, be aware that I abhor political posturing and political expediency. I find them most distasteful to anyone driven by moral principles!
In the last national election, both candidates pandered to the “wind.” Neither President Obama nor Candidate McCain, in spite of their personal and political rhetoric, is credible, i.e. believable. Neither is a principled pro-life person as represented in public. If life is inviolable, there are no “excepts for . . .”
Pro-Life is a very broad shelter under which both found comfort. We are in the storm of reality.
Tragically, a tornadic wind continues to blow!
Do not lose heart! Jesus gave his life for us and our sinfulness and ineptitude. He is our hope.