Right to Life responds
Mario Suarez
ND Right to Life
I am writing in response to the recent viewpoint articles concerning the Knights of Columbus' "Trojan Horse" and to two specific points. First, Sarah Haight's statement concerning pro-lifers, questioning if they are "truly concerned about reconciling women who have had abortions back to the Church (a supposition I regard as dubious at best, but with which I am willing to indulge them)." Second, Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece, "Shame on you, Notre Dame, for even accepting this Trojan Horse and abandoning education and free thought for hatred and disgust."
Being a co-president of the Right to Life club on campus, I feel compelled to respond to these. However, I also feel like I have not served my office well. A student who leaves Notre Dame should not believe that being pro-life means seeking the condemnation of those who have had an abortion. Pro-life is being pro-person. It is about compassion and not hate.
I will try to explain this, and I feel the best way is to explain some of what Notre Dame Right to Life does. Our mission statement divides our actions into three tiers: prayer, service and education. I will focus on service. Some people may be surprised that a pro-life group even does service, but this is only because of a gross misunderstanding of the pro-life perspective.
RTL's biggest service program is working with the Women's Care Center (WCC). The WCC helps women in problem pregnancies. It provides a variety of services, ranging from pregnancy tests, to pre-natal care, to supplies after the baby is born, to parenting classes, to counseling. Another organization is Hannah's House. They provide a similar service but focus more on women who are younger and struggle financially. Demonstration of parenting skills (such as making dinner) is rewarded with goods that are needed to have a house and raise a child (such as clothes). They also provide counseling for post-abortion syndrome.
In addition, RTL is currently working on a post-abortion syndrome week to educate students on the real effect abortion has on women (studies show that upwards of 90 percent of women suffer from it). A new program, Project MOM, is currently going through administrative approval. It will be used to collect a variety of goods for expectant or young mothers and babies. In the past, we have held a pregnancy resources forum and hosted speakers from organizations such as Feminists for Life.
Programs such as these are not unique to Notre Dame. Pro-lifers across the country (and world) realize how difficult it can be to find oneself expecting a child. The pro-life movement's reaching out to women is not, by any means, "dubious at best," but with open arms and an open heart. Neither does the movement embrace "hatred and disgust." Rather, we embrace education, free thought and the wonders of humanity, as we believe that all people should have the opportunity to experience life.
A statue dedicated to the silent suffering of babies and their mothers is not hatred, condemnation, anti-free thought, anti-education, disgust. It is a beautiful reminder of the love one woman had for her child and a painful reminder of the love that millions have not experienced. But that pain is a consequence of the lies of the pro-abortion movement. Pro-lifers do not like or enjoy this pain, but we are compelled by justice to not turn our heads from the issue for the sake of convenience.
Pro-lifers want to expose the lies, ease the pain and prevent the suffering of abortion. This can be done through education, service, prayer, love, compassion and understanding for mothers, their children and society. We should not judge others but realize the painful truth that abortion is the taking of the most innocent of human life. It is wrong and should be illegal. We must protect life with the law and, with our actions, help others who have suffered and are suffering because of abortion.
Mario Suarez
ND Right to Life
Co-President
Senior
Off-Campus
February 27, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, March 5, 2001
