Pastoral Message: "Life" 1997

PASTORAL LETTER OF BISHOP CORMAC MURPHY-O'CONNOR

To be read at all Masses on Sunday 26th October 1997

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Careful consideration is always given to the first words of Papal encyclicals because they denote the aim and significance of their teachings. For example, the encyclical letter on the Church's moral teaching begins with the words, 'The splendour of the truth'. The teaching on ecumenism begins, 'That they may all be one'. A very recent Papal encyclical had a very dramatic title that should touch the hearts of each one of us. The title of the encyclical is, "Evangelium Vitae", which is the Latin for 'The Gospel of life'. What does it mean? What does the Church want to say to everyone about the Good News of Life? The first thing it wishes to say is that the Gospel of Life is at the heart of the message of Jesus. After all, His birth was itself good news; it brought great joy. Did not Jesus himself say, 'I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly' (John lO:10)

We know that each one of us is called to fullness of life, consisting in sharing the very life of God. The Church teaches that, even in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties, every person can recognise, written in their own hearts, the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end. Thus, every human being has the right to have this gift respected to the highest degree. The Gospel of Life insists that human life is a gift from God and, as such, is sacred and that the meaning of life lies in mutual giving, not in taking back.

There are many threats to the Gospel of Life in our society today. Monday, 27" October, marks the 30" anniversary of the passing of the Abortion Act in 1967 since when, nearly five million abortions have been carried out. This is a horrifying statistic. It is the reason why today all our bishops are taking the opportunity to look at issues concerned with the ethic of life. : Everyone knows that the Catholic Church regards abortion as a great evil. We should reflect on the underlying reason why this is so. It is not that the Church has set its face against something but rather because it has such an unbounded reverence and respect for life. Quite simply, we are the people of life and for life.

If the Church seems uncompromising in this respect it is because it sees a connection between respect for life before birth, which is the most vulnerable state of all life, and respect for life at all stages, especially for the defenceless, such as the mentally disabled and the aged. It is for these reasons that the Church wishes to offer real alternatives to abortion or to euthanasia and all the other oppressions of human society. For example, we must do what we can to help women who resist the pressure to have an abortion so that they may receive the assistance which they and their baby will need.

But there are other matters we should consider today. Much is made in our present society of the 'right to choose'. This right is deemed essential to a person's freedom. But freedom is not absolute Freedom is not limitless. Indeed, freedom can destroy itself if it no longer recognises and respects its essential link with what is true. How strange that our society, which affirms the truth that the dignity of the human person must always be respected, should justify attacks on human life such as those who have just been conceived or, increasingly, those who are weak, sick or dying. There are huge issues here which heed to be considered carefully if we are to combat in every way open to us what Pope John Paul calls, 'the culture of death'. With regard to abortion, we must have understanding and sympathy for those who have felt impelled to have an abortion because of serious financial, psychological or emotional pressure. While not condoning the wrong done, the Church is aware of the factors which influence decisions and offers the hope of God's forgiveness and mercy to those who sincerely repent.

Today, I want to ask each one of you to pray and express sorrow for the waste of life and the complicity of society in the structures of sin and death. . This is, therefore, to be collective repentance and communal prayer for a conversion of heart and mind. .You and I will never change evil laws until society's attitudes are changed in mind, heart and conscience.

Let us take this opportunity then for all of us to repent and to pray that the Gospel of Life may be increasingly upheld in our society. We should remember that upholding the right to life is not only a Catholic issue - it is for everyone. There are countless numbers of people who share our beliefs and who will wish to work and witness with us in this matter. All people of good will should know that there can be no just and: true civilisation without the recognition of every person's dignity and without respect for their rights. Let us then ask for God's grace and help in recommitting ourselves to the Gospel of life. As Jesus said, 'I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly' (John 10:10).

With an assurance of my prayers and kindest wishes,

Yours devotedly in Christ,

Rt. Rev. Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.