Priests for Life strongly promotes the Consistent Ethic of
Life properly understood. This website contains
abundant information
about what that proper understanding is, including
speeches of the late Cardinal
Bernardin, in which he corrects abuses and misunderstandings of the
teaching. We also provide the full text of various documents of the
US bishops and the
Vatican, in which they clarify both the consistency of our ethic of
life, and the urgent priority of the abortion tragedy.
The following is an excerpt of a letter to the editor that appeared in Lay
Witness, the magazine of
Catholics United for the Faith. It was in
response to
an article I had previously
written for them. I appreciate the editor's clarification, which answers the
writer's misunderstanding.
-Fr. Frank
LAY WITNESS
December 2000
The Gospel of Life
Dear Editor,
Fr. Pavone's article (September '00 Lay Witness) extolling Cardinal
Joseph Bernardin's "consistent ethic of life" (a new catch phrase for his
"seamless garment") disturbed me. We must end abortion, and also pray for the
virtues of purity and chastity and foster good morals. But a state has the right
to impose the death penalty and, yes, we should pray for the conversion of souls
of people receiving such a punishment. Let's also pray for the repose of the
soul of Bernardin and stop publishing articles pushing his agendas that have
caused so much damage in so many dioceses….
-Claire Stephan
Williamsburg, VA
The "consistent ethic of life, " as Fr. Pavone noted in his article, is a
"critically important but widely misunderstood teaching. " Fr. Pavone
provided important clarification in this area, showing the interrelatedness
of life issues while unequivocally affirming the priority and gravity of
abortion and euthanasia among the various issues. He notes that this is the
mind of the United States episcopate. This also is the mind of the Holy
Father who, in his wonderful encyclical
Evangelium Vitae ("The Gospel of Life"), not only condemned
abortion and euthanasia, but also provided a framework for addressing all
life issues rooted in the God-given value and dignity of every human person.
The entire encyclical speaks to that point. Here is just one representative
excerpt:
"It is therefore a service of love which we are all committed to ensure to
our neighbor, that his or her life may be always defended and promoted,
especially when it is weak or threatened. It is not only a personal but a social
concern which we must all foster: a concern to make unconditional respect for
human life the foundation of a renewed society.
"We are asked to love and honor the life of every man and woman and to work
with perseverance and courage so that our time, marked by all too many signs of
death, may at last witness the establishment of a new culture of life, the fruit
of the culture of truth and of love" (no. 77).
For the Church's teaching on particular life issues, call CUF toll free at
(800) MY-FAITH (693-2484), or visit our website at
www.cuf.org
-Editor
