Mother Teresa on Abortion
September 5th marked the 10 year anniversary of Mother Teresa’s passing. Being a few days behind on my Spanish newspaper reading, I just read La Nacion’s tribute to her. What impressed many about her message was its simplicity and consistency. According to an Argentine who had the privilege of interviewing her during her 1982 visit to Buenos Aires, throughout her life she continually talked about the family, abortion, the importance of reporters seeking the truth, and spreading that truth. While I currently don’t have a great deal of insight on the matter, it started me thinking about abortion.
The killing of unborn children is the most despicable act our society allows. I cannot imagine the grief our nation has brought upon the Lord with the more than 30 million babies aborted since Roe versus Wade in 1973. This is not to even speak of the other millions deprived of life in other part of the globe. Why am I not repulsed more by abortion? Why am I not enraged?
While not excuses, two thoughts come to mind. As a child, I have vivid recollections of protesters chaining themselves to buildings, blocking abortion clinic entrances, and being arrested by local police. While their zeal was admirable, the manner in which the conducted themselves often was not. Right or wrong, I remember being more turned off than compelled by their message. Secondly, perhaps no other issue more perfectly represents the struggle between modern liberalism and conservatism. It is esteemed as one of the highest virtues and rights among those who oppose my world view. When I think about criminalizing abortion, it can seem like a pipe dream because of how it flies in the face of modern pop culture’s thinking. Also, because it was forced upon us by the judiciary, the process of acquiring a judiciary that would return the issue to the states is perhaps the only way to settle the matter. This makes it less personal and, at times, somewhat daunting for the lay people of the Nation. Let’s pray the momentum continues in the direction of life.
This is a matter I will have to dwell on some more. Do you feel overwhelmed by the issue, hopeful, or happy with how things are? Do you think it ought to bother us more or less?
