Bishop's Schedule: Bishop Robert C. Morlino There is no bishop's schedule this week.

Abortion in culture: Alito hearings a chance
to reflect on language, rights, Mary's intercession

Dear Friends,

Vacation time has enabled me to watch the Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito to a degree that would never normally be possible.

I do enjoy watching such things in any event but I was particularly moved to watch the Alito hearings because of the centrality that I knew would be given to the questioning about Roe vs. Wade and the alleged right to an abortion.

		Under the Gospel Book + Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Language should be used properly

It interested me that the use of the term "pro-choice" has certainly won the day. The normal way that language works would indicate that the further question be asked, "What, precisely, is the choice being made?"

To be pro-choice is, in the end, to be pro-abortion. If someone said that he or she was pro-choice in the area of robbing a bank, I don't think that anyone would stand up for that "pro-choice" position. But we have been systematically taught in this one instance to forget about what is chosen, that is, the death of the most innocent, weak, and helpless of all human beings.

Only the senator from Oklahoma told the whole truth about pro-choice. We have a lot of work to do so that language is used properly.

No right to reject design of nature

Man and woman have a natural right to marry. Once married, husband and wife have a right to the beautiful union in one flesh, sexual intimacy that is open to God's creative act.

No one has a right to sexual intimacy outside of marriage, to contracept artificially the marriage act, or to abort the pre-born.

No one has a right to reject the design of nature and nature's God, a loving design that can be discovered by reason alone. This is not a Catholic denominational curiosity.

Right to abortion embedded in culture

Secondly, I found it very interesting to listen to the line of questioning which stated that Roe vs. Wade could not be overturned because the right to an abortion is so deeply embedded in our culture. The idea seemed to be that the Court would either lose its credibility or provoke a rebellion if it were to overturn Roe vs. Wade.

Indeed, the right to an abortion has become embedded in our culture and that is why it has rightly been called a "Culture of Death." Capital punishment is also embedded in our culture and the forces that would promote physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia continue to make their advances.

There is no question that Roe vs. Wade articulates unjust law, that no one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life, and that Roe vs. Wade must be overturned or otherwise rejected as the law of the land.

Turn to Mary for intercession

We should really think in terms of turning to Mary for her powerful intercession in overcoming the culture of death. I am frequently reminded of how our prayers to her for the fall of communism proved fruitful and effective but it took forty years - but communism did fall without violence or bloodshed.

Her powerful intercession will bring our country and our world to the truth about the sacredness of life as well, if we persist in our loving trust and prayer.

Thank you for reading this and God bless each one of you. Praised be Jesus Christ!

Bishop's Letter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Each year, the annual Collection for the Church in Latin America is held in parishes across the country. The proceeds from this collection go directly to support the work of pastoral projects in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

When we contribute to this fund, we are actively participating in a work of solidarity with our brothers and sisters throughout the American hemisphere as we build One Church, One America.

Last year, more than $5 million was raised in the United States to provide collaborative funding for more than 470 projects in 217 dioceses within 21 countries. The funded projects include catechetical and lay leadership programs, youth ministry, evangelization programs, and formation programs for religious, priests, and deacons.

Further information on the work of the USCCB's Committee on the Church in Latin America can be found at the Web site www.usccb.org/latinamerica

I ask you to please consider contributing to this Collection, and I am most grateful for your generosity. Together let us ask the Lord to continue to bless us in all that we do.

Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino
Bishop of Madison