The Two Lungs of the ProLife Movement

Pope St. John Paul II described the unity of the Church, saying, “The Church must breathe with her two lungs!” Here, he speaks of the mutual interdependence and healthy tension that should exist between the East and West so that the Church, as a whole, fully can benefit and her mission become more effective. In Fides et Ratio (1998), he spoke of faith and reason, which "are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know himself—so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves" (cf. Ex 33:18; Ps 27:8-9; 63:2-3; Jn 14:8; 1 Jn 3:2).

The pro-life movement is in the spotlight now that RvW has been overturned; the truth is, the pro-life movement itself has these two lungs, two wings, in which the truth--the flowery truth that all life is sacred and begins at conception, and the unsavory truth that abortion is the taking of a human life--is communicated, often in trying and unfavorable circumstances.

I have friends who are fervently pro-life, but approach the "issue" of pro-life (issues are theoretical though, and not the best term to use when real lives are at stake) from different angles. I have friends who, on the one side, devote their time, energy, and resources to sidewalk counseling--attempting to change the minds and hearts of women seeking abortions ("Love them both") in a few precious moments before they walk into the mill. They offer literature, resources, love, encouragement, hope...anything to make them reconsider the tragic mistake they are about to make that will alter their lives irreparably forever. This is the model 40 Days for Life has adopted, and there have been many "saves" from their efforts (in rain, snow, and unbridled animosity hurled at them)--a baby that gets to live, and a mother who had the courage to give their child a chance to live it.

I also have friends who may from the outside be seen as a more "militant" wing. Their signs are gruesome and graphic, because abortion is gruesome and graphic, and they hope to counter the lies of the abortion industry that seeks to gloss over the reality of abortion. "Clumps of cells" do not have eyes, fingers, toes, and organs. Some "cross the [literal] line" and put themselves between the abortionist and the women, offering them roses (Red Rose Rescue), and doing anything within the power while risking arrest to save a life. Their work is admirable, if not without controversy in the press (which doesn't understand what is truly at stake from the vantage point of these pro-life warriors). They are branded as terrorists, agitators--whatever can be used to distract and deflect from what is actually taking place: a global holocaust of innocent life. 

These are battles in the war being waged, and each battle has its own tactics and merits. I am involved only peripherally with both camps, but part of my struggle is seeing as if one is "the right way" and one is not. In reality, though, I think they are two approaches that have merit and are needed. I may be inclined more towards one than the other based on temperament and personal discernment, but the only "wrong way" is to not do anything. Even if prayer is your weapon, use it. Even if you can't be on the sidewalk every day rain or shine, but can go once a month, go once a month. If you have other gifts (financial, talents, etc), use them rather than burying them. If you speak or write truth, you may mobilize a mind and heart that works for greater things years down the road.

One unfortunate thing (as an outside observer) is in-fighting. I can't speak to this, but I'm sure it happens. It happens with liturgy, it happens with politics, and I'm sure it happens in the pro-life movement. There is no "one way" to win this war. And Yahweh Sabaoth is the one who leads. We are simply the foot soldiers, taking orders and doing the brunt work. Some are generals, some are officers, some are ground troops. 

When I was in college, the "Williard Preacher" would stand outside the Williard building on campus and preach repentance. Rain or shine, cold weather or hot, day in and day out, for years. He was old school, but he was dedicated, which I'll give him credit for. I don't know how many hearts he changed, but if a person was "cut to the heart" hearing their need for repentance and turning away from sin and need for Jesus Christ, I would think that would be a win in Heaven. Maybe this is what the "graphic" sign holders who bring light to the holocaust are doing. How effective it was, I can't say. That's for God to judge. 

Also in college, there was a couple (the husband became a deacon, eventually) who befriended me, invited me to their home for dinner (I had only been Catholic for a year), encouraged me, etc. That also was a way to preach the Gospel and build up a person, one at a time. It wasn't any kind of official "ministry"--just kindness and encouragement. Maybe this is what sidewalk counseling is like. How effective it was, I can't say. That's for God to judge. 

If anything, RvW's overturn has knocked down the fence posts--there's no fence sitting anymore. Where someone stands on the fundamental issue of life will tell you a lot about a person. But that doesn't mean their hearts can't change. That's a grace in its own right, and it belongs to the Holy Spirit. 

But the agents, the soldiers on the ground doing the work of fighting for the right to life--rather than the right to end it--will at least have the scars of vitirol, arrest, and weariness covering their bodies from the battles waged here on earth when they come before the Lord. 

It's the lack of scars that should concern one getting ready to face their judgement. Something I need to pray about myself.