Through this holy season of Lent, we call to mind the needs for the conversion of society to Respect for Life. During the Lenten season last year, the Colorado legislature finalized the fateful decision to enshrine abortion into the state constitution, inclusive even of late term abortions, where the child is fully ready, willing, and able to be born and to thrive. Thus, on April 4, 2022, the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) was signed into law.
Society today does not understand its own urgent need to promote, not the death of some, but the birth of all its children for the health of its future. Much less does society comprehend the sanctity of each unborn life, from the moment of conception, as created and formed in the beautiful image and likeness of God. Each act of abortion is horrific to child, mother, the community, and the perpetrator.
"Society today does not understand its own urgent need to promote, not the death of some, but the birth of all its children for the health of its future."
Let us renew our prayer for repentance, God’s mercy, and Respect for Life. I invite all the faithful to join me during the remainder of Lent in doing penance, almsgiving, fasting and prayer for the conversion of our society towards a renewed effort and support for Life. Especially through our devotions of the Stations of the Cross, let our fasting and prayer be mindful of God’s loving care for pregnant mothers and their unborn children.
Mothers now face the harmful assurance that the death of a child is the solution to their struggles. Our diocese is blessed with eleven dedicated, volunteer-staffed Caring Pregnancy Centers, with counseling, medical assistance, baby supplies and follow-up care for mothers and families. Check out our new Respect Life webpage to find their location. Our Knights of Columbus have provided ultra-sound imaging equipment to eight of these centers. I encourage you to support their efforts. To this purpose you may review Walking With Moms In Need (WWMIN), a process through which Catholic parishes and communities “walk in the shoes” of local pregnant and parenting women in need. You may also consider participating in a Life-giving work of mercy in your parish.
"I invite all the faithful to join me during the remainder of Lent in doing penance, almsgiving, fasting and prayer for the conversion of our society towards a renewed effort and support for Life."
Finally, I ask you to also consider dedicating one hour of silent prayer outside an abortion clinic in your deanery. As you pray, remember to give thanks to God for your gifts of love, peace, joy, and hope. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring the promise of these gifts to the woman in despair, that hope will blossom in her heart and dispel her fear, that she may find strength to bring forth the little one growing inside. The witness of prayer is most important. In the words of Bishop Fulton Sheen, pray for and spiritually adopt one unborn child. Pray to save the Life of one child and the Hope of one mother. Your prayer will be answered.
The Good News is that Life in ever-growing abundance is the reason Jesus came. “I came so that they might have Life and have it more abundantly.” (Jn 10: 10b). We are in this together. Through this Lenten season, let us call on Jesus and follow Him ever more closely, and look towards the Resurrection with firm and faithful hearts, our hands reaching out for ever-more abundant Life.
+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg
Bishop of Pueblo
Image by jcomp on Freepik
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