Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Catholics all over the world receive the mark of Christ’s cross in ashes on their forehead. This practice transcends race, culture, and politics. In the United States, both Democrats and Republicans receive the ash cross and therefore show themselves marked for Christ. Sadly, some of these same Catholic politicians publicly stand against Christ and His Church in their endorsement and support of legislation that destroys innocent unborn human life. This is most evident in the recent failed legislation known as the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021.
Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021
This bill sought to codify Roe vs. Wade into federal law and thereby take the abortion issue out of the hands of an increasingly conservative Supreme Court. Abortion “rights,” under siege in many Republican states, are seen as endangered. The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021 was the most brazen attempt by pro-abortion advocates and politicians, many of whom are Catholic, to codify the willful destruction of innocent human life before and after viability.
In addition, governments may not (1) require patients to make medically unnecessary in-person visits before receiving abortion services or disclose their reasons for obtaining such services, or (2) prohibit abortion services before fetal viability or after fetal viability when a provider determines the pregnancy risks the patient’s life or health. [emphasis added]
Let us be clear here, when this legislation separates “life” and “health,” viability no longer applies. The “health of the mother” justification for abortion expands to now include “life.” Any risks to the mother’s mental, financial, or social “life” now justifies the brutal dismemberment of her unborn child. Politicians that claim the name of Christ and come forward to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday also endorsed and supported this horrific bill.
Pro-abortion Catholic Phenomenon
Of all the Catholic Democrats in the Senate, only Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted against this bill. One hopes he did so out of faithfulness to his Catholic faith and human decency. Of the remaining fourteen Catholic Democrats, thirteen voted Yea (yes). The fourteenth, Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, did not vote. Poor catechesis, coupled with willful disobedience, accounts for the reasons professing Catholic Democrats endorse and support such heinous legislation. A faithful Catholic (and a decent human being) would stand in opposition to such evil. A “pro-choice” Catholic is an oxymoron.
As we embark on this Lenten journey, let us mindfully examine why we take up our cross. This starts with the cross many get on Ash Wednesday. Be mindful of the example you set for others who see that ashen cross on your forehead. With those ashes you declare, “I am a Roman Catholic” to the world.
May we all seek to live lives worthy of He who hung on that cross. Let us not profess Him outwardly, while we endorse and support things in direct opposition to His will. God bless.
Here is how the vote breaks down.
Here is the text of the bill.
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