I would like to start my pastor's column by saying that I am truly PROUD to be an Arkansan, born and raised and living most of my life in this wonderful state! While I could have written this at any time since I have been composing this column, I felt inclined to express this in light of the decision of the Supreme Court on June the twenty-fourth that, among other things, struck down the Roe v Wade decision that tragically legalized abortion in our country in 1973. While many, since last Friday's decision have focused on protests at the Supreme Court and other places around our country (including a small one at the state capitol of Arkansas), I think we should all give thanks to God that we live in the most anti-abortion state in the country that shows itself in the anti-abortion laws that have been passed by our legislature and signed by our governor! As many of us were applauding such laws being passed, we knew that their full effect would not happen until Roe v Wade was struck down. With abortions being now illegal in Arkansas and abortion clinics (though few in number in Arkansas) closing, we can and should give thanks to God for all those in Arkansas whose prayers and actions have resulted in this law (passed in 2019) taking effect.
I think firstly of Bishop Andrew J. McDonald of the Diocese of Little Rock (of happy memory) who started our diocesan respect life office early in his time as our bishop and Anne Dierks of our parish who was not only the first director of that office, but who was key in starting the "Arkansas Right to Life" ecumenical effort to promote and protect all human life from the moment of conception and encourage voters to vote for anti-abortion candidates and lobby elected officials to pass laws that would protect babies from being killed while in their mother's wombs. I can recall many years that Bishop McDonald led the annual March for Life in January to the state capitol (a march sponsored by Arkansas Right to Life) and thousands of Catholics and people from other faith traditions braving all kinds of winter weather conditions to participate in the march and hear, over the years, a growing chorus of speakers and elected officials urging us to keep up the support and prayers that someday Roe v Wade would be overturned and laws take effect to protect the live babies in their mothers' wombs. At times some got discouraged and some backed off on the efforts to influence our lawmakers and all people to end the destruction of so many innocent lives that have not been given the opportunity to live in this world and hopefully come to know and serve the Lord. Many, however, across the country and IN OUR STATE, and in our parish stayed the course, continued to pray and act and support pregnancy help centers and have every reason now (as do we all) to thank God for the fruits of patience, perserverence and laws (like in Arkansas) that reflect belief that every human person is knit in their mother's womb by God (Ps 139:13-14).
Let us pray that efforts will continue to change hearts to love and reverence every child inside and outside of its mother's womb and even more efforts and resources be raised and used to support women who find out they are pregnant to bring their children into the world and NOT go out of our state to procure an abortion! Please pray as well that more doctors and other medical people will be true to their oath to save life and not do anything that is disrespectful or harmful to anyone's life!!
I think firstly of Bishop Andrew J. McDonald of the Diocese of Little Rock (of happy memory) who started our diocesan respect life office early in his time as our bishop and Anne Dierks of our parish who was not only the first director of that office, but who was key in starting the "Arkansas Right to Life" ecumenical effort to promote and protect all human life from the moment of conception and encourage voters to vote for anti-abortion candidates and lobby elected officials to pass laws that would protect babies from being killed while in their mother's wombs. I can recall many years that Bishop McDonald led the annual March for Life in January to the state capitol (a march sponsored by Arkansas Right to Life) and thousands of Catholics and people from other faith traditions braving all kinds of winter weather conditions to participate in the march and hear, over the years, a growing chorus of speakers and elected officials urging us to keep up the support and prayers that someday Roe v Wade would be overturned and laws take effect to protect the live babies in their mothers' wombs. At times some got discouraged and some backed off on the efforts to influence our lawmakers and all people to end the destruction of so many innocent lives that have not been given the opportunity to live in this world and hopefully come to know and serve the Lord. Many, however, across the country and IN OUR STATE, and in our parish stayed the course, continued to pray and act and support pregnancy help centers and have every reason now (as do we all) to thank God for the fruits of patience, perserverence and laws (like in Arkansas) that reflect belief that every human person is knit in their mother's womb by God (Ps 139:13-14).
Let us pray that efforts will continue to change hearts to love and reverence every child inside and outside of its mother's womb and even more efforts and resources be raised and used to support women who find out they are pregnant to bring their children into the world and NOT go out of our state to procure an abortion! Please pray as well that more doctors and other medical people will be true to their oath to save life and not do anything that is disrespectful or harmful to anyone's life!!