Thirty-Year Crusade for Life
By Bishop Carl Mengeling

Thirty-one years ago on January 22, 1973, our U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion on demand with no restrictions. For the first time in our 200 year history, Americans had the so-called ‘right’ to destroy unborn human life.

The deliberate destruction of 40 million human beings and the painful effects that touch so many are the dark side of these 30 years. There is also a bright side to these 30 years.

The long-cherished convictions of most Americans about the fundamental and inherent dignity and value of every human life has not wavered or lessened. It is on the increase, especially in recent years as the cleverly hidden truth about abortion has been unmasked in the cruel and painful destruction of babies as they are born. Partial-birth abortion has opened the eyes of all decent people.

Thirty years ago, it was generally assumed that Americans, at first, would balk and resist and become ardent proponents of human life; but in time would grow weary, surrender and resign themselves to the new order. These pundits and skeptics were wrong. They underestimated the historic and deeply held convictions of our citizens about the primacy of human life.

The hallowed truths of our Founding Fathers are etched in the psyche and lives of Americans: "endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights: LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS." Sadly, our Supreme Court has dared to change this. The constitution lists LIFE first because without life the rest is impossible. Our Supreme Court now lists LIBERTY first. This means that my right to freedom of choice is more important than another’s right to live.

Most Americans are troubled and unhappy about the so-called ‘clinical’ and hidden massacre of millions of unborn human beings in these 30 years. People sense and know this is fundamentally wrong. They also fear the impact this ‘right’ to destroy human life has on the American psyche and our civil society.

Fair-minded and thinking Americans are not fooled by clever rhetoric. In the public forum, Pro-Life is negative, labeled ‘Anti-abortion’‘ while Pro-Abortion is positive, labeled ‘Pro-Choice’. The truth is obvious to people who look for it.

Americans who know how democracy works are not duped by a common tactic that is contrary to our democratic process. This tactic seeks to silence certain groups and ban them from our political process by denouncing them as IMPOSING their convictions and agenda on everyone. This is utter nonsense.

In our political system all citizens and groups have the right to PROPOSE their ideas, agenda, etc. and become part of the political debate on a host of issues. No one is imposing anything. Imposing is done by votes in Congress, the Supreme Court, State Legislatures and in Elections.

Trying to silence our citizens with this ‘imposing your ideas’ is a scare tactic and it is un-American.

Yes there is a bright side to these 30 years. For more thoughtful and sensitive Americans ‘RIGHT TO LIFE’ is the major moral issue of our time. With this deeply held conviction there is hope for a truly human society and a civilization of love. Americans know that LIFE is fundamental. Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness cannot exist without life.

All the above is good common sense. Old timers call it good old horse sense. The clincher comes when Divine truth enters the picture and confirms all of this and elevates it to heavenly dimensions.