By ANNE W. CARROLL
Robert C. Cetrulo, J.D. On the Gift of Life, From Eden to Eternity. Northern Kentucky Right to Life Educational Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1202, Covington, KY 41012, 2015. 189 pp. $10.00.
“I tell you not for your comfort, yea not for your desire,/ Save that the sky grows darker yet, and the sea rises higher” — G.K. Chesterton, Ballad of the White Horse.
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These words from one of the great poems of the English language describe the situation facing the Christians of England in the 800s, as a small remnant under the leadership of King Alfred (later to be known as Alfred the Great), hid on the island of Athelney, wondering if the spring would bring their final defeat by the pagan Danes, a defeat which could mean the end of Christian England.
Pro-life Catholics in the United States might be forgiven for thinking that these words apply to their situation, in the summer of Obergefell v. Hodges and of the release of the undercover videos revealing Planned Parenthood’s trafficking in the organs of the tiny persons murdered in their abortuaries financed in part by the United States taxpayers.
Chesterton put those words on the lips of the Blessed Mother, who appeared to Alfred when things looked their darkest. She went on to say to him:
“Night will be thrice night over you and heaven an iron cope./ Can you have joy without a cause, yea faith without a hope?”
Our Lady was exhorting Alfred to hold on in the dark, to carry on the fight with faith and, yes, with joy. Alfred did just that, and the next spring he and his little band defeated the Danes at the Battle of Ethandune, saving Christian England. Alfred was the godfather of the Danish chief, Guthrum the Battle Serpent, who was baptized following the battle.
For those in the pro-life movement who need encouragement to hold on in the dark and to carry on the fight with faith and joy, they can find what they need in On the Gift of Life, From Eden to Eternity by pro-life warrior Robert C. Cetrulo.
This book is also the perfect gift for a person whose heart is in the right place but who is poorly educated in pro-life principles. It can even be a tool for conversion, for someone who is on the other side but who can be reached by reason, logic, and powerful examples.
Every chapter contains gold nuggets. For example, take a look at chapter 2: “Denial of the Personhood of the Unborn Child is Based on a Lie, As Was the Original Sin in Eden.” Cetrulo uses cogent arguments from science, law, and history to show that no honest person can possibly deny that the unborn child is a human person, who deserves the same rights as one who is fully grown.
As an experienced lawyer, Cetrulo powerfully demonstrates the utter nonsense of the arguments used in Roe v. Wade, a demonstration, incidentally, which also shows the utter nonsense of Obergefell v. Hodges.
Chapter 3, “Euthanasia: Hell’s Last Sacrament, Revisited,” not only shows how pervasive this evil has become but provides some very practical advice on how to protect you and your loved ones from so-called “death with dignity.” Living will? Durable power of attorney? Surrogate proxy?
Cetrulo describes exactly what sort of documents you need to avoid becoming an involuntary organ donor, a victim of starvation and dehydration, of having your brain declared dead when it is still very much alive. The information in this chapter and the sample documents in the appendices are worth the price of the book and more.
Chapter 4 takes on the issue that many persons who are anti-abortion try to avoid: contraception. Some of our Christian brethren who agree with us on abortion believe that contraception is acceptable. Cetrulo’s presentation here would be an excellent one to share with these people, so that they can see that being pro-life means being one hundred percent pro-life.
A good opening argument is to present the evidence from this chapter that many contraceptives actually kill babies. A person who truly wants to oppose abortion should be able to see that early chemical abortions are just as much murder as later surgical abortions. In all cases an innocent baby’s life is ended.
Do you want to reveal the truth about Planned Parenthood, which Cetrulo aptly terms “Planned Barrenhood”? Check out chapter 5. Do you want to show others the consequences of the anti-life movement — infanticide, a population implosion, the loss of religious freedom? Then look into chapters 5-9.
Do Not Despair
But where is that joy we mentioned earlier? Throughout the book, but especially in the concluding chapters and the epilogue, we see quotations and examples that show the power of the pro-life message and highlight many stalwart people who are defending life.
Cetrulo is himself one of those people. He encourages us to evangelize and bring others to the truth. He gives examples of other evils in history that have been successfully fought. He exhorts us to use our most powerful weapon — prayer — and recommends a weekly holy hour of eucharistic adoration.
We Christians are not allowed to despair. Remember the words of Jesus Christ: “Take courage. I have overcome the world.” If we faithfully do His will as best we can and if we do it joyfully, we will be noticed. People will want to know our secret. There are Guthrums out there waiting to be converted.
Full disclosure: Robert Cetrulo several times mentions the historical work of my husband, Dr. Warren Carroll, and he was of great help to me in finishing Dr. Carroll’s last book, The Crisis of Christendom.
I will conclude with this beautiful line from the epilogue: “Pray daily, for a grateful heart, for all the gifts received from God, and for a gracious heart, to be kind and generous to others.” Amen.
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