Consistent ethic of life encompasses spectrum of issues |
 |
 |
|
Written by LAURIE STEVENS BERTKE, Chronicle Writer
|
|
Friday, 03 October 2008 01:00 |
HURON—Some Catholics might be surprised to see access to clean drinking water included on a list of life issues.
Peggy Gerovac, director of the Pro-Life Office of Catholics Charities of the Diocese of Cleveland, ties the issue into the consistent ethic of life taught by the church because it is one of human dignity.
More than 1 billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water, and 2.5 million children under the age of 5 die annually from water-borne diseases.
|
| Peggy Gerovac |
Globally, people spend $46 billion on bottled water every year. The good news, Ms. Gerovac says, is that providing clean water to everyone on earth would only cost a fraction of that amount — $1.7 billion — beyond current annual spending on the issue.
She suggests people could simply cut back on bottled water and put the money into clean water sources.
ìWe all have a hand in making sure that the world respects the dignity of every person,î says Ms. Gerovac, speaking at the National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry Conference in Huron Sept. 5.
In her presentation, "Celebrate Life with a Consistent Ethic of Life," Ms. Gerovac encouraged Catholics to embrace the "fullness" of church teaching on respect for life. She notes abortion and euthanasia are core issues that are part of a greater whole, which include other issues relating to human dignity such as the death penalty, poverty, disabilities and embryonic stem cell research.
One issue she presented to the audience was genetic testing, which she says the church supports for the purpose of helping doctors assist families before birth.
"We want parents, families, infants to be able to get the best treatment they can. Some of the treatment happens in utero now," she notes.
The problem with prenatal genetic testing is doctors are increasingly recommending abortion in cases when such conditions as cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome and dwarfism are detected. Ms. Gerovac says 80 to 90 percent of babies testing positive for these conditions are aborted, and parents who choose to carry their baby to term may struggle to find a doctor who supports their decision.
"It’s very sad when the parents feel threatened by the doctors to continue their pregnancy," adds Ms. Gerovac.
She expects these abortions will lead to deep regret and pain for many parents down the road. "All of the sudden, that life is going to be more than the diagnosis."
In her office, Ms. Gerovac says she also sees ministry to post-abortive women taking a new direction as use of the abortion pill RU-486 increases in the United States.
"Abortions happen when people are under stress, aren’t thinking clearly, can’t be looking for the possibilities. And what happens is, it’s pretty easy to take a pill," says Ms. Gerovac.
Catholic Charities sponsors a post-abortion healing ministry, Project Rachel, to help those dealing with sorrow, regret, grief, isolation or confusion. When she began her position in 2004, Ms. Gerovac expected to hear from women who regretted abortions they had years ago.
Instead, she says women are calling her "two to three weeks" after they use pharmaceuticals to abort.
"I am overwhelmed in sadness when I get that call," says Ms. Gerovac.
The pro-life director has more positive findings to report when it comes to embryonic stem cell research, which church leaders have consistently opposed.
Scientific advances that are making the use of human embryonic stem cells obsolete are highlighted in a new ad campaign produced by the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
"Science does not have to kill in order to cure," reads one of the ads.
At least 73 medical conditions have been treated in humans with adult stem cells that did not destroy a life, while embryonic stem cell research has not produced a single treatment in humans, according to www.stemcellresearch.org, the Web site of the Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics. The site is referenced in the USCCB ads on stem cell research.
"Adult stem cells have helped thousands of people including patients with juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injury, sickle cell anemia, heart damage and many other conditions," it continues. "These stem cells are readily available, found in bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, skin, fat and other tissues and organs."
The ads also call attention to the development of "Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells" (iPSCs), which are virtually identical to embryonic stem cells but are derived from ordinary body cells without destroying human embryos.
Ms. Gerovac notes church teaching on the dignity of the human person has its origins in the first chapter of Genesis, which says we are made in the image of God. "Not that some are made in the image of God, but we are made in the image of God," she says.
"When we start from a framework that all life is necessary, all life is graced by God, then we’re not going to grow into picking and choosing different lives that can be destroyed," adds Ms. Gerovac.
|
|
Last Updated on Monday, 22 December 2008 11:09 |
|
|
