We Shall Overcome, Again
 We live in a world prone to disregard the precious gift of life, especially
when it appears to be wrapped in a package that is inconvenient, small,
costly, difficult, or different.
But we can change.
Last month, we inaugurated our first African-American President – something
unthinkable just a generation or two ago. Why? Because a sizeable part
of our population did not admit the full humanity of African-Americans
– including the dignity and rights with which the Creator endowed them.
We have overcome. And we shall overcome, again.
As President Obama begins his term of office, we pray that he and the
Congress will come to recognize and protect the dignity of each person
from the moment of conception until natural death. Only then will our leaders
be like Melchizedek: righteous leaders, a force for peace at home and abroad.
For, in the memorable words of Blessed Mother Teresa, “The greatest destroyer
of peace in the world is abortion.”
In the name of those whom the world considers weak, we unite in calling
upon our government, fellow citizens, and fellow believers to commit to
securing legal protection for the unborn. It is not enough to try to address
the social conditions that foment abortion; we must also recognize the
God’s given dignity of the unborn by legally protecting their lives. No
human rights movement chooses between the promise of a better life and
legal protection for the weak and oppressed.
Neither should we.
That is why we must stand shoulder to shoulder in resolutely opposing
the Freedom of Choice Act – one of the most radical pieces
of pro-abortion legislation ever. If enacted it would, with the stroke
of a pen, wipe out 36 years of pro-life progress at the federal and state
levels – all laws banning partial birth abortion; all laws requiring parental
notification before a minor undergoes an abortion; all laws protecting
the freedom of conscience of health care workers; all laws protecting the
rights of faith-based hospitals and clinics.
And we must be wary of the Freedom of Access to Health Care Act and other
legislation that may try to do piecemeal what F.O.C.A. aims to do all at
once.
We must send our leaders a clear signal: “Don’t do this!”
What will it take to change hearts, to change laws, to improve lives,
and to protect the lives of the unborn? It will take unremitting effort,
new strategies, robust participation in democracy, wisdom in arguing our
case … and prayer … daily assiduous prayer …. for the cause of life.
It will also take witnesses. Priests to preach the Gospel of Life! Religious
who live the Gospel with a radical love! Families who practice the faith
and live the Gospel of life!
The civil rights movement is unthinkable without those witnesses who put
their lives on the line for the cause of racial justice. They overcame.
Can we do less?
Grant us, Lord, the courage to pray, to march, to plead for the
cause of life!
In your grace, Lord, we shall overcome.
Please join the National Pro-Life Postcard Campaign and tell
your Member of Congress to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act.
For more information and to download resources and postcards, click
here.
To read Bishop Lori's Blog: Click
here.
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To read the complete article: 
This statement continues a more than thirty-year tradition
by the Catholic bishops of the United States to encourage Catholics
to use the values of their faith to shape their participation
in political life. It focuses on helping Catholics form their consciences
so they can
make sound moral judgments about public choices. 