[Read in all churches on the weekend of 31st January/1st February 2004]

26th January 2004

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday, a day on which we remember all the innocent victims of abortion. Since the signing into law of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act in 1997, abortion on demand has been legal in South Africa and it is estimated that over 300 000 babies have already become victims of this evil legislation.

Abortion takes the life of the most innocent and most vulnerable members of our society and deprives the child of baptism and the graces of Christianity. The Church has remained constant in her teaching on abortion. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.” (Catechism of the Catholic church No. 227)

Because of the intrinsic evil and gravity of abortion, the law of the Church, which is called Canon Law, makes special provision for it and has its own penalties for those Catholics who involve themselves in this crime. The Catholic Church is both Mother and Teacher. As Mother she is both slow to anger and quick to forgiveness, but as Teacher she cannot detract from the deposit of doctrine she has received from God. When the law of the country contradicts the law of God, as it does in the case of abortion, the Church has a duty to remind her people that although human justice in our country no longer punishes this crime the laws of God are still supreme.

By procuring or aiding a successful abortion one commits an exceptionally serious sin and is automatically cut off from God and excluded from the ordinary life of the Church community and is forbidden to receive Holy Communion or receive the sacraments until that person has been reconciled with God and the Church through the Sacrament of Penance.

Aside from the woman involved in the completed abortion, anyone who has aided or abetted such an act also commits serious sin and receives the same penalty (Canon 1329, Par. 2) for instance, those advising it, encouraging it, the nurses and doctors who facilitate it, the anaesthetist and the person paying for it.

Also the Church recommends that no person should seek employment with, or give any services whatsoever to abortion providers. Such services would include clerical or office work, cleaning, laundry, food supply etc.

All Catholics are called to live a full life, actively contributing to taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. We all share the responsibility of defending human life and dignity through our example, words, behaviour, opinions, votes, education and actions. Politicians, teachers and those involved in the media, and all in positions of influence, have an important role to play in the transformation of our culture.

“Our civil leaders … have a duty to make courageous choices in support of life, especially through legislative measures” (Evangelium Vitae Par. 90)

The inviolability of the human person and the right to life of every human being, made in the image and likeness of God, from fertilization to natural death is the cornerstone of our faith as well as our civilization. We should all try and work in a practical way towards the entrenchment of the Culture of Life in South Africa and in the world.

 A great prayer for Life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up through the world. Through special initiatives and daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to Almighty God, creator and lover of Life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of each and every one of us.

As pastors and people, we are deeply concerned with the salvation of every person and would therefore be failing in our love of God and neighbour if we did not challenge that evil which destroys the soul and forfeits eternal life. “Following one’s conscience in obedience to the law of God is not always the easy way. One must not fail to recognize the weight of sacrifices and the burdens which it can impose. Heroism is sometimes called for in order to remain faithful to the requirements of the Divine law.” (Declaration on Procured Abortion, 1974, Par. 24)

As Catholics and Christians we must oppose this evil and stand for Christ who is “the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6)

With prayerful good wishes and my blessing,

Yours sincerely in Christ,