(From combined sources)
U.S. pro-lifers were eagerly waiting to hear what, if anything, Pope Francis would say about abortion and life issues generally during his visit here.
In Cuba, he had denounced abortion and euthanasia. (See this week’s News Notes column on p. 2A and also see the Shepherds column on p. 4B.)
While his references to abortion were not as frequent or as detailed as many pro-lifers had hoped, nonetheless, he did raise the issue.
Most notably, in his September 23 address to the bishops of the United States in St. Matthew’s Cathedral, Pope Francis listed the “challenging issues of our time,” which included the innocent victims of abortion.
He also then said: “I appreciate the unfailing commitment of the Church in America to the cause of life and that of the family, which is the primary reason for my present visit.”
On that same day, Pope Francis paid a short visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor community in Washington, D.C., to support them in their court case over the HHS contraception mandate, the Vatican’s spokesman revealed.
It was a “short visit that was not in the program,” Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, director of the Holy See Press Office, said at an evening press conference during the papal visit to the nation’s capital.
“This is a sign, obviously, of support for them” in their court case, he affirmed, according to a September 23 Catholic News Agency report by Matt Hadro.
The sisters had filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration for its 2012 mandate that employers provide insurance coverage for birth control, sterilizations, and drugs that can cause abortions employee health plans. The sisters have maintained that to provide this coverage would violate their religious beliefs.
Even after the Obama administration modified the rules as an “accommodation” for objecting organizations, the sisters held that even under the revised rules they would have to violate their consciences.
It was a “little addition to the program, but I think it has an important meaning,” Fr. Lombardi said.
In response to the news of the visit with the sisters, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said that he was “so pleased” to hear of it.
In other papal comments related to abortion:
At the White House welcoming ceremony, Pope Francis said that religious freedom “remains one of America’s most precious possessions.”
He added: “And, as my brothers, the United States bishops, have reminded us, all are called to be vigilant, precisely as good citizens, to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or compromise it.”
In his speech before Congress, referencing the Golden Rule — “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matt. 7:12) — the Holy Father affirmed:
“The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development,” using the language of the pro-life movement.
Also, Pope Francis commented on the family:
“Yet I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without. Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the importance and, above all, the richness and the beauty of family life.”
After the address, Cong. Tim Huelskamp (R., Kans.), one of the leading pro-life advocates in the House, told Steven Ertelt of LifeNews.com that he appreciated Pope Francis’ comments about defending human life.
“My family and I were blessed to hear from Pope Francis yesterday and today. He’s inspired us to continue fighting for our beliefs rooted in the clear teachings of our Catholic faith, especially the sanctity of life, marriage, family, and religious liberty,” he said.
“George Washington reminded us in his farewell address that national morality cannot prevail in exclusion of religious principle. I am praying Francis’ visit inspires Catholics and non-Catholics alike to return to our nation’s founding principles and reliance on our Heavenly Father.”
Live Nobly
The Holy Father emphasized environmental and social justice themes throughout his talks.
Below are some further excerpts from his address to Congress:
“We must resolve now to live as nobly and as justly as possible, as we educate new generations not to turn their back on our ‘neighbors’ and everything around us. Building a nation calls us to recognize that we must constantly relate to others, rejecting a mindset of hostility in order to adopt one of reciprocal subsidiarity, in a constant effort to do our best. I am confident that we can do this.
“Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions. On this continent, too, thousands of persons are led to travel north in search of a better life for themselves and for their loved ones, in search of greater opportunities. Is this not what we want for our own children?”
Advocating for the abolition of the death penalty, the Pope said:
“I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes. Recently my brother bishops here in the United States renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty. Not only do I support them, but I also offer encouragement to all those who are convinced that a just and necessary punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation.”
And on alleviating poverty, he said:
“It goes without saying that part of this great effort is the creation and distribution of wealth. The right use of natural resources, the proper application of technology and the harnessing of the spirit of enterprise are essential elements of an economy which seeks to be modern, inclusive, and sustainable.
“‘Business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving the world. It can be a fruitful source of prosperity for the area in which it operates, especially if it sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common good’ (Laudato Si, n. 129).
“This common good also includes the earth, a central theme of the encyclical which I recently wrote in order to ‘enter into dialogue with all people about our common home’ (ibid., n. 3). ‘We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all’ (ibid., n. 14).”
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