In AMERICA Magazine is is written:

The word "respect" comes from a Latin verb meaning "to look at," so this October is naturally a time to look at life and as Christians discern ways to cherish and promote life on this Earth. From the countless brochures being handed out in Catholic churches across the United States this October--the ones with photos of fetuses in varying stages of development--an unprepared visitor might conclude that the most important function of pro-life month is to preach against abortions. Although we all know this is not the case, it's intriguing that there appears to be little discussion in the Catholic world about how to celebrate God's greatest gift. Conceptually and philosophically, a concept such as Respect Life Month has the potential for examining many ways of exploring this great theme. Why not talk about it some more?

Previously I have written about the great potential to recognize ways to bring love to those children who have been born with genetic anomalies and other conditions causing severe and profound mental retardation. I have also noted many ways parishes might help these children throughout the life span. One such developmental disability is Down syndrome. Persons with this genetic structure may function in all levels of retardation, but increasingly, with the impact of living at home and early intervention, more and more Down syndrome children function in higher levels of functioning. Yet the course of abortions continue, and George Will, no bleeding heart himself, inveighs against the practice as a form of genocide: one group of persons are systematically being erased from the planet. I happen to agree with him, as the father of a son with Down syndrome, and as a parent who chose against the needle of amniocentesis because of the harm it might cause another child.

Respect Life Month should encourage us to examine other ways we go against the command to cherish life. Here are two possible topics for discussion...



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