Since
the beginning of the Virginia General Assembly session on January 9, we have
witnessed the introduction of extreme abortion legislation culminating in an
attempt to pass a law similar to what New York recently passed. This bill
rightfully failed—but I am, along with so many people of good will, distraught
that this bill was introduced in the first place. It could have paved the way
for babies to suffer a violent and gruesome death moments before birth and
could have been harmful to women.
My hope is that this bill failed because the elected officials of
the state legislature recognized that it was an evil and impermissible offense
to human life and our collective decency. Abortion of a baby in the final stage
of pregnancy borders on infanticide. Our governor, however, may be willing
to cross that border and go even farther. In a staggering admission, Governor
Northam stated that after an infant is delivered, the mother and the family
should keep the baby comfortable, resuscitate the child “if that’s what the
mother and the family desired,” and “a discussion would ensue.” This
attitude—and the bill that was defeated this week—reflects a new level of
deep-rooted animus against the inherent goodness of every child. The governor’s
statement and this bill demonstrate how far abortion advocates are willing to
go in taking the life of a precious child.
This
is a critical moment in the life of our Church and our society. I call on
the faithful and people of good will to advocate for the right to life of all
people, including the unborn and those children whose lives are at risk even
during the process of birth. In Virginia, with the assistance of the
Virginia Catholic Conference, we must make our views known to our elected
officials on all issues where the right to life is at stake.
Through
the Diocese of Arlington, we continue to offer assistance to expectant families
in need and those who are suffering after an abortion. Families who need help
should contact the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life: arlingtondiocese.org
To learn more about the failed abortion legislation as well as
other extreme public policy proposals before the Virginia General Assembly,
read the most recent VoterVoice Post (published 1/30/19) by Jeff Caruso,
Executive Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference: https://vacatholic.org/votervoice-post/?vvid=1123
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2019