By Michael Sims, Th.D.
The Catholic Church teaches that human life is sacred from conception to natural death. In formulating what we know today to be the “consistent ethic of life,” Cardinal Joseph Bernardin stated in an essay on health care that this ethic “is grounded in the respect we owe the human person. To defend human life is to protect the human person … the core reality in Catholic moral thought.”
On the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade (Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization), we are reminded that modeling a consistent ethic of life, in what Pope Saint John Paul II called “a culture of death,” can be challenging and emotionally draining, especially in a society where abortion, euthanasia, pornography, gun violence, lack of affordable housing and health care for our youngest to our oldest, and other practices that devalue life are widely accepted and willfully ignored.
Perhaps even more painful, being a pro-life advocate can prove challenging in navigating relationships with those who hold opposing views on today’s wedge issues, sometimes within our own families.
They key for many pro-life individuals is to find strength in their faith, support in their community, and conviction in the knowledge that every human life is valuable and worthy of protection.
Helping others understand
Even for Tricia Bradberry, founder and board member of Jersey Shore Women’s Center in Galloway, and her colleague Sue Murray-Decker, client services coordinator, advocating for the protection of the most vulnerable, specifically, the unborn, can be a challenging task. There are several pitfalls that those in the pro-life movement should try to avoid, they advise.
One hurdle is being overly aggressive or confrontational in one’s approach. As Bradberry stated, “This can turn people off and make it difficult to have productive conversations about the issue. It’s important to be respectful and compassionate toward those who hold different views.”
It is important to remember we are not trying to win a fight to prove our argument is righteous; we are trying to help others to understand why every life must be protected.
Those who champion the rights of the unborn would be wise to avoid relying too heavily on emotional appeals rather than factual arguments. Murray-Decker explained that “while emotions can be a powerful motivator, it’s important to back up arguments with scientific evidence and logical reasoning.” Often emotion is the only argument the pro-abortion argument will rely on, as it is difficult to dispute. By its nature, logic and reason is impervious to the emotional perspective.
Finally, it’s important to avoid demonizing those who support abortion rights. It is possible to disagree with someone’s views while still treating them with respect and kindness. Fostering rampant hostility only entrenches conflict, it does not open people to new ideas.
Teaching the teachers
Thankfully, there are great pro-life educators in our region committed to teaching the Gospel mandate of life. In the words of Joe Sosnowsky and Melanie Stubee, two of the United for Life Coalition’s founding members, their mission is “to provide a forum for pro-life advocates and ministries to connect for the purpose of protecting and facilitating help for the unborn and their families.”
On June 11, 2022, in conjunction with the diocesan Office of Life & Justice, the UFL co-sponsored an event at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Linwood, to train 95 attendees from parishes within the Diocese on how to begin Pro-Life Ministries in accordance with the guidelines developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Since that training, more parishes have developed or are in the process of forming their own faith and life ministries in order to build stronger alliances that advocate for the most vulnerable and innocent among us here in New Jersey.
There’s help afterward
When working with those who have had an abortion, it’s important to remember Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness and redemption, which is modeled in ministries like Project Rachel and Rachel’s Vineyard.
These groups offer hope and healing to those who have been affected by abortion. It is working with these women in pain from their past decisions where we are reminded that Jesus’ message of grace and mercy invites us to extend compassion and understanding to those who have made difficult choices, to help provide avenues for redemption and to understand their stories of loss as we work toward a society that values life at all stages.
Michael Sims, Th.D., is the director of the Office of Life & Justice Ministries for the Diocese of Camden.
What You Can Do
Adjacent to an abortion facility, Jersey Shore Women’s Center in Galloway connects women to resources and services that promotes healthy families. In just three years, the center has served more than 350 clients. To support Jersey Shore Women’s Center or to learn more, visit friendsofjswc.org. To refer a woman in need of support, visit jerseyshorewomenscenter.org.
To learn more about United for Life, or about how to start a ministry in your parish, email unitedforelife@comcast.net.
If you or someone you know needs help after having an abortion, contact Rachel’s Vineyard’s 24-hour nationwide toll-free number at 888-456-HOPE(4673).
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