The Church’s commitment to protect human life is not based in politics; did not just emerge in response to the Roe v Wade decision legalizing abortion and applies to more than the defenseless child in the womb, though that is surely a priority.
In fact, the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of human life can be traced back to the earliest days of Christianity and has remained steadfast throughout history, taking form as a “consistent ethic of life” that protects pre-born babies as well as other vulnerable groups.
That was an observation shared by teacher and author Dr. Charles Camosy, who presented a seminar Jan. 20 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, as part of the Diocese of Trenton’s Standing Together for Life event.Addressing a gathering of 200 individuals – many of whom are involved in parish ministries – Dr. Camosy reminded those present, “There are many parts in one body – the Church – and we need all of our ministries involved in the building of a culture of life process.”
Dr. Camosy, a professor of medical humanities in the Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Neb., stressed that the Church’s consistent ethic of life, or CLE, is something that stretches back to the beginnings of the Church and can be found in the first century document called the Didache, also titled The Lord’s Teaching of the Twelve Apostles – an early catechism of the Church.
During a period when pagan cultures often disposed of infants, especially female infants, the Didache stood in stark contrast, Dr. Camosy said, teaching respect and care for all vulnerable unborn children and expressing a preferential option for the poor. “This is our inheritance; this is what has been passed on to us from throughout the centuries and has been with us in a very specific and clear way,” he said.
Dr. Camosy referred to the writings of now deceased Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago; encyclicals published by Popes John Paul II – “Evangelium Vitae” and Benedict XVI – “Caritas in Veritate;” and Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si.”
“In affirming the way of life and rejecting the way of death, CLE rests on the very foundation of our Church, he said, noting the two previous popes “founded their central moral ideas on the CLE tradition, a tradition the Church ought to conserve with great energy and care …”
What’s Happening Now
Dr. Camosy reviewed contemporary social justice issues pertaining to women and mothers, including the need for access to good prenatal and post-natal care. He noted that “the richest country in the world” has one of the highest mortality rates, especially among people of color,” and pointed out how “women face terrible threats to their lives from intimate partner violence, especially for women who have had multiple abortions.”
Dr. Camosy had high praise for the Catholic Church’s Walking with Moms in Need initiative, noting the program gives “local states, dioceses and parishes step-by-step instructions about how to create institutions that will serve women and families.”He also suggested that the pro-life movement can assist women by advocating for child tax credits, help with childcare and paid family leave.
Field Experiences
As a volunteer and president of Mount Carmel Guild, an inner-city Trenton outreach agency that serves the poor, Jane Chrnelich has witnessed people from all walks of life coming to the Guild. She said that many do not fit the stereotype of what some people think about the poor.She explained, “They fell on hard times … they never thought they would be in need of a bag of food.”
Chrnelich said the Guild does provide resources for clients and their families and she was interested to learn more about how social justice and respect life can better work together.
Mary Lyons, Confirmation catechist in St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt, and service coordinator for Madonna House, a Neptune-based organization that provides outreach to women and children, attended the seminar hoping to hear about Catholic Charities’ response to the growing needs. She was pleased to learn about Walking with Moms in Need as a new initiative that could involve all parishioners.
“Centers that help women are overwhelmed,” Lyons said, and that the opportunity to join with social justice organizations “would be a true blessing.”
This article also includes reporting from Rayanne Bennett, associate publisher, and Mary Morrell, contributing editor.
To view a video presentation of Dr. Camosy’s talk, click here.