On this particular day, we wish to be inclusive of the concept of Human Life: its reality, its dignity, its sensory reflection of God Himself.
 
In past articles we have addressed the origin of human life as occurring at the moment of conception.  This is biologic fact.  Abortion, at any stage of pregnancy, by mechanical or chemical means, is the killing of a human life.  And the "rationale" for doing such an act in no way mitigates this fact, with the extremely rare exception of having to save the life of the mother.  Economic reasons; genetic reasons; gender reasons; alleged future benefits to other human beings.  None of these have any validity.  If they did, we would have to agree with the deviant professor from Princeton University, Peter Senger, who maintains that some human beings have an obligation to die, and if necessary to be assisted in fulfilling that obligation.
 
Then there are "end-of-life" issues, where the inviolability of human life must be integrated with issues of personal free will and self-determination, also gifts from God.
There is the professional responsibility of physicians to give neither too little nor too much (ie. futile) medical care, as distinguished from palliative care and kindness...of which there is never too much.  There is the issue of the "just war".  There is the issue of capital punishment.  There are issues of "coercive interrogation" and "torture" when grave dangers exist for a society.
 
Not simple, but all these issues are amenable to reason, good will and Faith.  We will continue to try to assist in shedding useful light on these and related issues in coming articles...all offered with the invaluable assistance of our Pastor, Fr. Joseph Castaldi.

Peter Moore, PhD    George A. Sprecace, M.D., J.D.