The only choice is life
Scott John Hardy
junior
This letter is in response to the Feb. 22 letter, "Remove the `Trojan horse.'"
A wise man was once asked, "If you could have one wish, what would it be?" The man replied, "I would restore words to their original meanings."
We live in a world where there is currently an explosion of misnomers. In light of this, we must replace the misnomers with words that actually present what they represent. It is time for our nation and our world to look beyond the self-serving linguistic formulae of the "pro-choicers," whose first misnomer is the collective name with which they refer to themselves.
"Pro-choice" — ignorance abounds in that terminology; morally, there can be no "choice" in deciding whether to have an abortion. We cannot choose a course of action which is morally unacceptable. That is not a theological dictate, it is a premise of philosophy. "We must do good and avoid evil." There is only one course of action that is congruous with gospel values, and this is to choose life!
Furthermore, the tireless use of euphemisms by the "pro-choicers" is so worthless that it arouses moral indignation among the rest of us — that is, those who are engaged in a search for truth in our own moral journeys. Their name itself is a euphemism. What they advocate is abortion, not choice. And to abort is to impinge upon God's omnipotence as author of life.
The letter that appeared last week in The Observer was no different. Bashing the Knights of Columbus for their memorial to unborn children outside of the Basilica, this letter was full of misnomers and euphemisms. However, the author's primary offenses against truth were the numerous, sweeping and libelous accusations against pro-lifers and "specifically the Knights of Columbus."
We fail to see how our memorial to the innocent victims of abortion was insensitive, deliberately manipulative or contributive to the current backlash against women. Frankly, we aren't even aware of any specific backlash against women. The ambiguity and generalizing in the accusation — of the existence of and our contribution to this backlash — serves suitably to demonstrate the libel contained in all of the accusations in the aforementioned letter.
If our monument is manipulative, we hope that it manipulates in a manner which causes women and men to recognize that abortion is an abominable crime against the sanctity of life. You also accused the Knights of Columbus (and therefore all who embrace the culture of life) of abusing women, forcing them into a mold of baby-killers and close-mindedness (sic).
Let all people of good will hear us: We denounce these charges, and wish to tell you just what we are about. The Knights of Columbus is an organization dedicated to charity, fraternity, unity and patriotism. We are a family-oriented organization, coming to the aid of widows and orphans is our primary task. With Mother Theresa of Calcutta as our model and The Blessed Virgin Mary as our patroness, we say this: If you don't want your baby, give it to us. We will find it a home. The Knights of Columbus is a service organization, a brotherhood of Catholic gentlemen at the service of the Church and who are loyal to the Holy Father — the vicar of Christ.
The letter pleads for someone to teach "rationality, sensitivity and analysis." We, as Knights of Columbus, do this by serving the gospel. The letter claims that these things are forsaken, "for some absolute moralistic right." Rationality, sensitivity and analysis do not controvert moral absolutes; rather, they lead us to them. Rational thought is the only vehicle to the truth, which is a synthesis of every moral absolute we can define — through our rational thought, sensitivity and analysis. We wish all people would look at both sides of the matter, as you accuse us of the omission of such careful investigation. Then you would see the truth.
Our monument to the innocent victims of abortion was carefully selected and designed to bring a level of decorum to the matter of memorializing the innocent victims of abortion — the holy innocents, if you will. The Knights of Columbus have hatred and disgust for no human person. Knights vow to serve God with charity, to live out our fundamental human vocation to love all people. We have not in any way attempted to victimize the women who have already been victimized by a society which permits and commercializes abortion.
We know that abortion is a business. Abortion counselors are trained to work on a woman's weakness from the moment she enters the clinic door. The counselors find out what is driving the woman to abort and they magnify it, telling the woman how much trouble it is to have a baby.
Our hope is that the image of the Mother and Child erected outside the Basilica will serve as a beacon of hope for the women who regret forsaking their baby. We want to show them that one day, they may be reunited with that child, and that "With [the Lord] is found forgiveness: For this we revere [Him] ... because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption …" (Psalm 130). We want to spread a message of love.
We must be mindful of what Jesus tells us, "Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive." (Luke 17:3).
Thus, we embrace all of our brothers and sisters who have suffered as a result of abortion. We pray for them daily, and we ask God that our prayers might also serve as a vehicle to convert hearts and end abortion forever. Lastly, we wish to end with a suggestion for the "pro-life" contingent here on campus and throughout the world. Pray the pious invocation of the apostles which followed Jesus admonition to forgive, "The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5). Pray it over and over, until your hearts are converted.
Scott John Hardy
junior
Notre Dame Knights of Columbus Council #1477
February 26, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, February 27, 2001
