A hat tip to American Papist.
Mark Shields, the political columnist who will be addressing graduates as commencement speaker at Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law next month, disagrees.
Shield’s syndicated column, published after the University announced him as speaker, goes against the stated opinions of O’Connell and several members of the board of trustees, including chairman Bishop William E. Lori.
“As a proud graduate of Notre Dame and, frankly, as an admirer of Father Jenkins, I am not a disinterested bystander in this controversy,” writes Shields. “My university likes to think of itself, not immodestly, as the place where the Catholic Church does its thinking. But the current rhubarb is already conspicuous for generating — mostly off the campus — more heat than light.”
“The reality is that Roe v. Wade is not going to be overthrown,” he continued.
American Papist noted sarcastically after quoting this: “Yes, defeatism is generally a feature of enlightened discourse.” And I must say that the line made me chuckle (in a good way–funny is funny). However, I think he misses the point.
If the likelihood of Roe v. Wade is in fact that at least in the near future our likelihood is that the law won’t be overthrown shouldn’t we at least concentrate just as much on trying to serve the needs of pregnant teens who seek abortion as we do on trying to influence politicians to change the law? As one who is pro-life, I think that this is what Bishop Chaput was driving at when he said and I paraphrase: “we don’t really care.”
If we really cared the law wouldn’t stop us from creating a solution that stops abortion. The law would make it harder for us to completely stop it altogether to be sure, but showing people great victories in changing the lives of these mothers, caring for them and their children and honoring the unborn as full persons who deserve not merely our PROTECTION but also our CARE. I’ve been to a few events at Malta House in Connecticut and was quite moved by the stories of the young women who they serve. They do this DESPITE the law and uphold our Catholic values greatly. They also hope that the law will one day change, but if it doesn’t they’re not going to close up shop. The Sisters of Life in New York do similar good works.
Why aren’t these stories being told? What if we all told just one small story of how we saved a life and supported it for years beyond that first year each day? We know those stories are out there.
Or would we rather just complain about a speech by the President?
