The dignity of all human life roots itself in God's love

October is Respect Life Month. During this month, we are called upon to reflect on how we are working to respect the human life and dignity of each person, from the first moment of conception to the time of natural death.

In the Book of Genesis’ first account of creation, the highpoint of creation is God’s creation of human life, the creation of man and woman, in the image of God, and after God’s own likeness. As that which was created, we are allowed to be participants in God’s creation of human life, which is an awesome and wonderful responsibility gifted to us by God. Because of this awesome and wonderful responsibility, regardless of the circumstances in which it comes about, from the first moment of its conception until the time of natural death, all human life is holy and sacred.

We should see in the life of every person, born and unborn, the image and likeness of God. The dignity of all human life roots itself in God’s love, and it is good; it is very good. God allows humanity to participate in his greatest gift, his most generous act, which is the transmission of human life.

Therefore, in my opinion, we are at one of the highest or perhaps even the highest point of reflecting that we are made in God’s image and likeness when we, as God does, see the goodness of all human life, and reverence human life, especially human life in the womb of a mother.

Conversely, and tragically, we are at one of the lowest points away from what God has created us to be when we do not see the goodness of all human life, and we tolerate the evils of abortion, capital punishment, racism, euthanasia, and other attacks against the sanctity of human life. When we respect this reality of the dignity of all human life, God’s most precious gift, we give honor to the selfless love of the creator and show ourselves to be worthy recipients of so great a gift, worthy receptors of the great trust God has shared with us.

The Genesis account of the first creation story reminds us of the goodness of all creation, the selfless love of God that we are all called to mirror to the best of our ability, and the importance of all human life and our call to respect it. We are called not to be self-focused or selfish in our response to all that God has entrusted to our care. Rather, we shine forth most completely as created in God’s image and likeness when we respect all human life.

In November of this year, we will have the opportunity to speak up for the unborn by voting here in Louisiana for the LOVE LIFE AMENDMENT to the Louisiana constitution. This amendment would successfully amend the Louisiana constitution and thereby continue to strengthen our commitment to end abortion in our state. Citizens of our state will have the opportunity to affirmatively state that they “Love Life” on Nov. 3, 2020, by favoring this amendment.

As Catholics, we are called to ensure that life is indeed valued and that the dignity of all is upheld. This is the foundational principle of Catholic Social Teaching. Passage of the Love Life Amendment would have a dual effect. Primarily, it will ensure that the State of Louisiana cannot establish a right to abortion at present or if Roe vs. Wade is overturned in the future. Secondly, it will prohibit the funding of abortion through tax payer dollars within our constitution.

Without such an amendment, the invalidation of the many anti‐abortion laws we have all advocated so strongly for in Louisiana remains a possibility. Therefore, I, along with the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, enthusiastically support the Love Life Amendment, and encourage all to approach this initiative with a formed conscience and a commitment to defend the sanctity of human life and uphold the dignity of all people.

I express my great gratitude to all of you for your enduring faith and financial support in these ongoing days of challenge and pandemic. I am grateful to our priests for their continuing ministry, to all the faithful who join us in person for Mass, as well as to those members of the faithful who are vulnerable, but who regularly participate in Mass virtually.
God bless you all for your fidelity!