Bishop Larry Silva Addresses Pro-Life Activities for the Diocese of Honolulu
From the Bishop:
January 7, 2009
Dear friends, As Catholics, we believe in the fundamental right to life for all, from conception until a natural death. We transform this conviction into a commitment to defend the unborn, and to guard the dignity of our poor, disabled and elderly.
[more and to download PDF version of letter)
This year, 2009, our obligation to protect the right to life leads the Diocese of Honolulu to concentrate on four public efforts. These will be coordinated by the Hawaii Catholic Conference and our Respect Life Office, headed by our Chancellor, Deacon Walter Yoshimitsu. Here is what we have planned:
1) MARCH FOR LIFE (Thursday, January 22, 2009, 4:00 p.m., at the State Capitol)
The annual March for Life, on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, demonstrates to our state lawmakers how precious life is to us. In past years, hundreds have gathered to march around the state capitol and pray for an end to the destruction of human life in the womb. How much more of an impact we would make if that number were thousands rather than hundreds. I encourage all our clergy to attend this event, and I ask you to encourage your fellow parishioners to attend this event.
2) FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT (FOCA) POSTCARD CAMPAIGN (January 24-25, 2009):
The proposed Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) creates a “fundamental right” to abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy. If passed by the U.S. Congress, this bill would go well beyond the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision in imposing an extreme abortion regimen on our country. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), “no other piece of legislation would have such a destructive impact on society’s ability to limit or regulate abortion. It would eliminate a broad range of laws—informed consent laws; parental involvement laws; laws promoting maternal health; abortion clinic regulations; government programs for facilities that pay for or promote childbirth and other health care without subsidizing abortion; conscience protection laws; laws prohibiting a particular abortion procedure (e.g., partial birth abortion); laws requiring that abortions only be performed by a licensed physician; and so on.”
The USCCB and the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment will co-sponsor a “Fight FOCA Postcard Campaign” January 24-25, 2009. Our diocese will participate. Postcards will be sent to parishes with instructions on how to conduct the effort. The completed cards will be collected and hand-delivered by me and others to our congressional leaders in Hawaii. This effort will also offer opportunities to participate further on a grassroots level.
3) PARISH RESPECT LIFE COORDINATORS
To further the belief in the fundamental right to life, from conception until natural death, I am asking each pastor to name a Respect Life Coordinator. The coordinator will organize and implement the efforts of the Bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities (www.usccb.org/prolife/pastoralplan.shtml) at their parish in consultation with the pastor. The coordinator serves both the parish and the Diocese of Honolulu. A position description and more information will be forthcoming from the Respect Life Office to assist pastors in selecting a Respect Life Coordinator.
4) OPPOSITION TO PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE
This year, the state legislature is expected to re-introduce a bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide. The Hawaii Catholic Conference will monitor this legislation as it progresses, and advise you when and how to take action against it. Your efforts have prevented physician-assisted suicide from becoming law since the measure was introduced in 2002. We must continue to join our voices in opposition to this assault on human life and to urge others to do so as well.
The Hawaii Catholic Conference and the Respect Life Office will be releasing more detailed information on each of these efforts as they progress. I appreciate all your continued efforts on behalf of life.
The odds of changing the tide to a greater respect for life are overwhelming, but we stand on the word of our Lord, who promises that, in God, all things are possible.
May your new year be filled with God’s abundant blessings!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Larry Silva
Bishop of Honolulu
What's Related