Executions, human dignity also are pro-life issues

    You have mentioned that there are several pro-life issues that will be coming up in the next several weeks. Can you talk about them?
    I had the privilege of speaking Jan. 12 on the steps of the State Capitol in Baton Rouge for the Louisiana Right to Life March. Back in 1973 when the Roe vs. Wade decision was announced by the Supreme Court, many people, including myself, didn’t realize the impact it would have. What seemed in 1973 to be a permission or an exception has become a way of life in the United States, and I believe most of us never would have thought that it would literally change the face of our nation, change our morality and change our attitude toward human life. In these last 40 years, we have allowed a culture of death to be built. That decision has been used to justify other threats to life, such as euthanasia and not caring for the poor and the immigrant. If you can take away the life of a child in the womb, then it becomes easier to justify not caring for human life or taking human life into our hands. I was grateful for the large number of parishioners and youth groups from the archdiocese who were in Baton Rouge for the march.
    You were a seminarian when the Roe vs. Wade decision was announced. What are your memories of how it was accepted?
    I remember the grave concerns of the church, and the church spoke out powerfully. Certainly, we knew the decision would have major ramifications, but I would not have imagined – and maybe that’s my naivete or my optimism – that 40 years later abortion would be seen as a norm in our country, which has taken the lives of 55 million babies. And, it’s becoming a norm in other countries as well.
    You headed for Washington, D.C., this week for the national Right to Life March on Friday, Jan. 25.
    It was a privilege to be able to attend both the state and national marches this year. I normally can’t participate in both because of timing issues, but this year because of the presidential inauguration, the national march was pushed back, so I was able to do both. We had about 500-plus young people from the archdiocese travel to Washington, D.C. Our Youth Ministry Office arranged for seven buses, plus several schools go on their own. This is much more than a vacation for the students. Certainly, they do have fun and they get to sight-see in Washington, but this is pilgrimage, including the prayer they share on the bus trip and then their strong witness for life during the march. The young people get to learn more about the issues and take a public stand. I admire the students who attend. They are strongly pro-life young adults. While they’re taking a few days off from school, they have to make up the work when they get back. It’s also a financial sacrifice. They are strong witnesses, and I appreciate the “young adult church.”
    A recent Pew Research study seemed to indicate that abortion was becoming less of an issue on the national stage. How do you view what’s happening?
    People of my generation, for whatever reason, in some cases not only allowed Roe vs. Wade to take place but also subscribed to what it said. In contrast, I see our young adults today – in large numbers – being much more pro-life than people were in my day. I truly think they will change the face of America on the life issues because they are outspoken. They see that life begins at the moment of conception.
     You have been clear to include other issues besides abortion under the category of pro-life issues.
    We as Catholics are unequivocally against abortion, and that is a pro-life issue. But being pro-life means embracing other issues that are very important, and we have two powerful opportunities coming up in the next few weeks to advocate in favor of life. Many people don’t even realize it, but the state of Louisiana has set an execution date of Feb. 13 – which is Ash Wednesday – for Chris Sepulvado, who was convicted of killing his 6-year-old stepson about 20 years ago. Many religious leaders are urging the state pardon board, the district attorney and the judge to stop his execution. Let’s be clear about this. When someone takes the life of another, it is sinful; it is evil; it is a great injustice. We abhor and can in no way justify the horrible wrongdoing that took place when he killed his stepson. We abhor the physical abuse that took place before his death. However, does that really give us the right to take another life? While those who murder others deserve punishment, should that punishment end in execution? Our Holy Father, John Paul II, specifically wrote in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” that modern society has penal systems capable of keeping dangerous people isolated from society for life, so cases necessitating the death penalty in order to protect society “are rare, if not practically nonexistent.” We believe he should be in prison for life. His death is not going to bring back the life of his stepson. The Old Testament talked about an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Jesus talks about going the extra mile, forgiving our neighbor and also praying for their conversion. This is an opportunity for us to pray for this man’s conversion so that he can repent and gain a new heart and a new spirit. Perhaps he will come to know God in a new and different way. This is a very controversial issue, but the church has been strong on this. The death penalty is a pro-life issue of the Catholic Church.
    You’ve also been very vocal about standing up against human sex trafficking, which will be flourishing during the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
    This is another pro-life issue. We will have women and under-age girls brought into New Orleans for the Super Bowl and for Mardi Gras, and they will be used for prostitution. If we respect human life and believe that we are made in the image and likeness of God – and if we believe that God lives within us – we must take a public stand and say that human trafficking is wrong. It’s the slavery of our present day. Hopefully, by bringing an awareness to this, we may be able to change some hearts and perhaps make people aware enough that if they see some suspicious behavior they can report it to the police. I must admit I was not aware of the extent of human trafficking that takes place in New Orleans. We are a people who speak out against abortion and we will forever speak out against abortion. But we must also embrace the other pro-life issues that are given to us in these next few weeks, which include the execution of a criminal and the betrayal of human dignity of innocent girls and some other adults who are being used for the wrongful pleasure of others. We are proud to be pro-life and Catholic!