November 11, 2001

This past summer, the Holy Father said in an address to Catholic obstetricians and gynecologists: "Until quite recently, medical ethics in general and Catholic morality were rarely in disagreement. Without problems of conscience, Catholic doctors could generally offer patients all that medical science afforded. But this has now changed profoundly. The availability of contraceptive and abortive drugs, new threats to life in the laws of some countries, some of the uses of prenatal diagnosis, the spread of in vitro fertilization techniques, the consequent production of embryos to deal with fertility, but also their destination to scientific research, the use of embryonic stem cells for the development of tissue for transplants to cure degenerative disease, and projects of full or partial cloning, already done with animals: All of these have changed the situation radically. Moreover, conception, pregnancy, and childbirth are often perceived as a burden and even as an ailment to be cured, rather than being seen as a gift from God."

September 11 was but the most vivid example of contempt for life. Years ago the Pope prophetically spoke of a "Culture of Death." Many who thought he was exaggerating the case, understand his words better now. Demographics also show how the depopulation of the Western world is leading toward a profound political and economic crisis.

Last Monday, a large group of Catholic physicians, mostly obstetricians and gynecologists, joined priests and nuns all day for a conference for Holy Mass here at the Church of Our Saviour and conferences in the parish hall. They have formed the St. Augustine Foundation to promote Christ's teaching on the sacredness of life, and to help couples understand natural family planning. The foundation teaches how married life can be lived in harmony with God's design for conjugal life when the serious need arises to space children. For information on conferences and mail order books, tapes and brochures: The St. Augustine Foundation, 538 Riverdale Ave., Yonkers, NY 10705 (Tel: 914-476-4858; E-mail: Augustinenfp@hotmail.com)

Fr. George W. Rutler