Choose Life

The purpose of the redeeming mission of our Lord Jesus Christ is that we "may have life, and have it in abundance" (Jn.10). The precious gift of life extends beyond our current earthly life. The gift of life makes us share in the very life of God. Pope John Paul II points out that "the loftiness of this supernatural vocation reveals the greatness and inestimable value of human life even in its temporal phase" (The Gospel of Life). The gift of divine life strengthens and renews life here on earth. Every human being is to be valued because we are created by God in his image. We also believe that by incarnation, Jesus Christ united himself with every human being. Based on the tenets of faith, life on earth is a gift entrusted to human beings to be preserved, protected and valued.

It is a Gospel imperative that Christians, individually and collectively, must defend and promote the right to life. There is a pressing and urgent call to respond to this moral imperative especially in our times because of the serious threats to human life. While some may claim that the majority of South African citizens are Christian, the laws of the country do not reflect the fact that they have been influenced by the moral imperatives of the Gospel or belief in God. There is a conspiracy against life. This is reflected in the existence of acute poverty and homelessness, ravaging diseases such as HIV/AIDS, of violent crimes, carnage on the roads, a trend towards euthanasia, neglect of the aged and finally, in the killing of unborn babies.

It was Pope John Paul II who remarked that there is a "progressive weakening in individual consciences and in society of the sense of the absolute and grave moral illicitness of the direct killing of all innocent life, especially at its beginning and at its end" ( Evangelium Vitae 57).

It is morally reprehensible to treat human life as if it were simply some biological material of questionnable value which could be gotten rid of up to the third month of pregnancy. The law gives women the right over their bodies as if they are the authors of life. The Catholic church has, throughout the ages reaffirmed that human life is a sacred gift from God and must be protected "from the moment of conception" ( Gaudium et Spes, 51). The church advocates that situations which push women to a point of seeking to take the life of an unborn baby be removed or minimized. Severe poverty or extremely difficult human relationships do not give one the right to kill innocent life.

We live in times of moral uncertainty. The law that permits abortion clouds the consciences of people and reduce their sense of moral guilt. There is an implicit dangerous suggestion that because the law permits abortion then it is seemingly not immoral to take the life of an unborn baby. The law itself popularises a mentality that accepts abortion. We are truly experiencing a moral crisis where the boundaries between good and evil are blurred. Abortion is a deliberate and direct killing of innocent life. It is therefore morally reprehensible.

"Thou shalt not kill" says the Commandment of God. But rather, "love your neighbour as yourself" (Mt.19.19). Pope John Paul II points out that the message of the New Testament "culminates in the positive commandment which obliges us to be responsible for our neighbour as for ourselves" (Evangelium Vitae 40.2). Those involved in the taking of the life of the unborn baby must take responsibility for their action. Often it is the mother who makes that decision. Neglect on the part of the father might lead the mother to commit abortion. In such cases the father shares the moral guilt. But the responsibility equally falls on the law-makers who design and approve abortion laws; on the pharmaceuticals whose products are aimed at facilitating abortions; on nurses and doctors who perform abortions, and finally, on institutions and lobby groups who promote the legalisation of abortion. This is truly a conspiracy against the most vulnerable and most defenceless human beings. This represents a headlong assault on the "civilization of love" and a shameless promotion of the "culture of death" with its disastrous consequences. But God remains the ultimate defender of life "from man with regard to his fellowman, I will demand an accounting for human life" (Gen.9.5).

It is incumbent upon all Christians and people of goodwill to promote courageously and fearlessly the value of life from conception. It is imperative to promote a culture that appreciates the logical, that life begins at conception, and that the unborn baby is a person with inalienable right to life.

The purpose of the campaign for life is to enhance the dignity of persons and to strengthen the culture of life. It is also aimed at cultivating compassion towards women who find themselves in difficult circumstances. The God we worship is a God rich in mercy.

Consistent with the abovementioned facts we make the following recommendations:

that the Archdiocese of Johannesburg set aside a Pro-life Sunday in its calendar, and a month-long programme of activities aimed at promoting respect for the value of life
that a team of committed persons be put in place to drive a Pro-life campaign
that this team coordinates with other organisations involved in Pro-life activities ( Human Life International; Doctors for Life; Interfaith life movements etc.)
that the Southern African Bishops' Conference be requested to set aside a Pro-life Sunday, and a month-long programme of activities
that parishes appoint a coordinator for Life Issues and that John Paul's Gospel for Life be considered as a vademecum for the youth of the Archdiocese
that a long-term campaign strategy be drawn up.

Pro-life Mass
Victory Park
16 February,2008
Archbishop Buti Tlhagale

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