Culture of Death: Vatican official condemns “self-genocide” of human race
Bishop says continued attacks on human life will lead to self-destruction
Abuja, Jan 25, 2007 / 11:59 am (CNA).- The president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Bishop Elio Sgreccia, denounced this week the different attacks on human life in all its stages, saying mankind is “marching towards a self-genocide of the human race.”
“The weakness of the Christian community and the strength of secular society could spell disaster,” Bishop Sgreccia warned, and he urged all European citizens to work at reversing the trend.
“Up to now the culture of death has been accepted and this path leads to self-destruction.”
He also noted the “widespread mentality that trusts in bio-technological power.”
Such powers, Sgreccia said aim “to change the order of the human species” and to create “men in the image and likeness of other men who have power.”
Society is embracing this mentality and, “it now defends the selecting of children so that each one is perfect, without defect, and the eliminating of those that do not fulfill these conditions,” he explained during a meeting with local journalists at the University of Saint Paul.
Bishop Sgreccia called this nothing more than “a craving for power” that stems from “a false perception of the origins of man,” since “no human being can state that he was born of his own choice, nor that he made himself.”
“This is the great lie upon which some seek to build this bio-technological omnipotence that aims to transform the very structure of human nature and in this way liberate it from all cultural precedent,” he stressed.
Regarding euthanasia, Bishop Sgreccia warned that “due to the profound secularization” man no longer has “the spiritual energy to confront suffering,” and he has lost “the sense of the transcendent.”
The bishop also recalled the case of Terri Schiavo, emphasizing that the notion of “extraordinary treatment” for patients should never include the fundamental needs of food, hydration and hygiene.
My Comments:
It is so good to hear this from the Vatican, yet why aren't more people in the world getting it? All clergy and laity need to be actively involved in educating themselves in the Truth and in sharing it with others, just as St. Paul did following his conversion. Each one of us needs to become actively involved in spreading the truth. We cannot be or remain lukewarm or Christ tells us he will spit us out of his mouth (Revelations 3:16). But many say "It's not my ministry", or "It's not my apostolate", "I am involved in the Altar and Rosary Society" or "I don't have any gifts in that area".
That's bunk! We are all responsible for putting an end to the slaughter of the innocents. Sam Brownback told us at the March to Life in D.C. on Monday that nearly 80% of Down Syndrome babies are aborted. Why is that? Is it because they are not perrfect? How many of us who were not aborted are perfect? Who do we think we are that we can take the life of another human being who is made by God in His likeness and image?
I am not just talking about the innocent, imperfect babies but also those helpless ones in hospitals and nursing homes who are routinely being sentenced to early deaths. You and I may have been spared from the tragedy of abortion, but when we are old and sick and helpless, who will be there to see that we aren't being deprived of the fundamental needs of food, water, and basic hygeine or neglected because we are no longer considered useful or functional by our secular society's standards?
Even if we have family members who are responsible and caring, there is no guarantee that those in charge of our care will be in control of the situation. Who can say that the legal procedures that seem to work for today will be equally effective in the situation tomorrow with the rapid advances that are being made in science and technology? Our laws change daily and the legislative branch of our government seems to become weaker and weaker everyday. Today it is our judicial branch that seems to have the most control and power in these situations. Depending on the state in which you live, your doctor may be the primary decision maker for your fundamental needs and the determiner of whether you live or die.
There are many things that need to be changed in our society both in terms of our laws as well as our hearts before human life can be treated with the reverence and respect it deserves. We are all responsible for one another and must all stand up for life if this genocide is to end.
Go here to take your pro-life examination of conscience - questions to help you defend life more effectively.
Abuja, Jan 25, 2007 / 11:59 am (CNA).- The president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Bishop Elio Sgreccia, denounced this week the different attacks on human life in all its stages, saying mankind is “marching towards a self-genocide of the human race.”
“The weakness of the Christian community and the strength of secular society could spell disaster,” Bishop Sgreccia warned, and he urged all European citizens to work at reversing the trend.
“Up to now the culture of death has been accepted and this path leads to self-destruction.”
He also noted the “widespread mentality that trusts in bio-technological power.”
Such powers, Sgreccia said aim “to change the order of the human species” and to create “men in the image and likeness of other men who have power.”
Society is embracing this mentality and, “it now defends the selecting of children so that each one is perfect, without defect, and the eliminating of those that do not fulfill these conditions,” he explained during a meeting with local journalists at the University of Saint Paul.
Bishop Sgreccia called this nothing more than “a craving for power” that stems from “a false perception of the origins of man,” since “no human being can state that he was born of his own choice, nor that he made himself.”
“This is the great lie upon which some seek to build this bio-technological omnipotence that aims to transform the very structure of human nature and in this way liberate it from all cultural precedent,” he stressed.
Regarding euthanasia, Bishop Sgreccia warned that “due to the profound secularization” man no longer has “the spiritual energy to confront suffering,” and he has lost “the sense of the transcendent.”
The bishop also recalled the case of Terri Schiavo, emphasizing that the notion of “extraordinary treatment” for patients should never include the fundamental needs of food, hydration and hygiene.
My Comments:
It is so good to hear this from the Vatican, yet why aren't more people in the world getting it? All clergy and laity need to be actively involved in educating themselves in the Truth and in sharing it with others, just as St. Paul did following his conversion. Each one of us needs to become actively involved in spreading the truth. We cannot be or remain lukewarm or Christ tells us he will spit us out of his mouth (Revelations 3:16). But many say "It's not my ministry", or "It's not my apostolate", "I am involved in the Altar and Rosary Society" or "I don't have any gifts in that area".
That's bunk! We are all responsible for putting an end to the slaughter of the innocents. Sam Brownback told us at the March to Life in D.C. on Monday that nearly 80% of Down Syndrome babies are aborted. Why is that? Is it because they are not perrfect? How many of us who were not aborted are perfect? Who do we think we are that we can take the life of another human being who is made by God in His likeness and image?
I am not just talking about the innocent, imperfect babies but also those helpless ones in hospitals and nursing homes who are routinely being sentenced to early deaths. You and I may have been spared from the tragedy of abortion, but when we are old and sick and helpless, who will be there to see that we aren't being deprived of the fundamental needs of food, water, and basic hygeine or neglected because we are no longer considered useful or functional by our secular society's standards?
Even if we have family members who are responsible and caring, there is no guarantee that those in charge of our care will be in control of the situation. Who can say that the legal procedures that seem to work for today will be equally effective in the situation tomorrow with the rapid advances that are being made in science and technology? Our laws change daily and the legislative branch of our government seems to become weaker and weaker everyday. Today it is our judicial branch that seems to have the most control and power in these situations. Depending on the state in which you live, your doctor may be the primary decision maker for your fundamental needs and the determiner of whether you live or die.
There are many things that need to be changed in our society both in terms of our laws as well as our hearts before human life can be treated with the reverence and respect it deserves. We are all responsible for one another and must all stand up for life if this genocide is to end.
Go here to take your pro-life examination of conscience - questions to help you defend life more effectively.
Excellent comments. I'm so glad you pointed out these quotes. If you're not aware of this story, I'd encourage you to take a look:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/jan/07012502.html
A deacon said the homily and pointed out a pro-abortion Congressman by name for his vote in favor of forced taxpayer funding of embryo-destroying "research."
As a Catholic, I'm disturbed when priests or bishops are seemingly out of touch with the hierarchy of the Church. We have the President of the Pontifical Academy for Life pointing out the dire straights that humanity has gotten itself into. Cardinal Arinze has stated that "Catholic" (quotes are mine, not his) politicians who vote in favor of abortion are not fit for the Eucharist. But yet we have a priest who is upset because he was not allowed to attend a reception at an anti-life Congressman's home. Such a comment sounds like there is too much focus on human respect.
The priest was upset that this anti-life "Catholic" was moved to walk out of the church. Indeed, the priest should be upset - upset that this anti-life "Catholic" disrupted the Mass because of his pride. It is a mortal sin for a Catholic to avoid Mass on Sunday without serious reason. The most sacred part of the Mass has yet not occurred when the homily takes place.
The bottom line is that this Congressman votes in public. He knows that his votes can be seen by anyone due to the Internet. His public actions create a scandal in the Church. I don't see anything wrong with a deacon publicly calling this Congressman for his public actions.
Yes, I have been keeping up with that story. It is sad that some clergy feel that they can't speak the truth on their own turf.
ReplyDeleteIn my parish, the priests are very upfront and openly speak out in defense of human life. Sure you're bound to be criticized by the few who pretend to be Catholics, but as Fr. Frank Pavone put it once, "What good are our large expensive buildings if we can't teach the truth in them?"
Answer: They are totally useless!
Those who are not living out the faith and following it but are publicly scandalizing others by supporting abortion have already ex-communicated themselves. We need to pray for these people, but we also need to let others in the congregation know that this is not acceptable behavior and that is against Catholic teachings. Otherwise, why not admit anyone no matter what their beliefs into the Catholic faith?
I also wanted to add that those who knowingly receive Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin (by supporting abortion)are making a mockery of the sacrament and are committing another mortal sin by doing so.
ReplyDeleteWe need to pray for this poor priest.