Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

 

 

 

After a Year of Change, the Fight for Unborn Children Continues

Posted on January 10, 2023 in: Reflections, ProLife

After a Year of Change, the Fight for Unborn Children Continues

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

January 22, 2023, marks fifty years since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. For fifty years there has been a march in Washington D.C. This year's march will be held on January 20. The theme is "Next Steps: Marching in a Post-Roe America."

Much has changed in one year. On June 24, the Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision. The Dobbs ruling sent decisions on abortion back to the states. The fight for unborn children continues. As I have noted in previous years, the church remains firm in its defense of the unborn. The catechism of the Catholic Church notes: "Human life is sacred because from its beginning, it involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with the creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end; no one can, under any circumstances, claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being." (ccc #2258)

Elsewhere the catechism states: "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person -- among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life." (ccc, 2270). Simply put, the right to life of an unborn child is the civil rights issue of our time.

So what is the message of the church? The message is, and remains, a message of mercy. To quote Pope Francis in his book, "The Name of God is Mercy. The church does not exist to condemn people but to bring about an encounter with the visceral love of God's mercy. I often say that in order for this to happen, it is necessary to go out; to go out from the church and the parishes, to go outside and look for people where they live, where they suffer, and where they hope. I like to use the image of a field hospital to describe this 'church that goes forth.'". Pope Francis is echoing the call of Pope St. John Paul II who stressed the role of mercy in his encyclical The Gospel of Life. He notes: "I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision.

The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same father and his mercy, you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children, or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life."

These are moving words. To quote again from Pope Francis' book written during the Jubilee of Mercy: "I hope that the Jubilee will serve to reveal the Church's deeply maternal and merciful side, a church that goes forth toward those who are 'wounded', who are in need of an attentive ear, understanding, forgiveness, and love."

There are many who have been wounded by what Saint John Paul II has dubbed "the culture of death". The church gives a counter witness. The church administers the medicine of mercy and builds a culture of life. Thank you for all of your efforts to build a culture of life here in the Diocese of Norwich. Saint Gianna Berretta Molla once said: "We must be living witnesses of the beauty and grandeur of Christianity". Let's follow her example and be living witnesses of the beauty and grandeur of life!

With every best wish, I am

                                                                                    Sincerely yours in Christ,
                                                                                    Michael R. Cote
                                                                                    Bishop of Norwich


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Saint Patrick: "Christ Be With Me"

Posted on March 16, 2023 in: Reflections

458

Saint Patrick: "Christ Be With Me"
“Christ be with me, Christ within me” St. Patrick’s Breastplate The Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Patrick on March 17. The following prayer is attributed to Saint Patrick and has a personalized inspiration for all of us who reside in our diocese placed under his protection and reliant on his intercession.  “Christ be with me, Christ within me… Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Chri...

Read More

Saint

Bishop's Column: 'Lord, I Love You'

Posted on March 01, 2023 in: Reflections

347

Bishop's Column: 'Lord, I Love You'
Winter 2023 Four County Catholic 'Lord, I Love You' As we enter the season of Lent, we take on the 40-day journey as an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the Lord. It is a contemplative time of intense soul-searching. It is also an opportunity to think beyond ourselves. As Christians alive in our faith, we turn with love and compassion during this season of hope toward our brothers and sisters who most need our help. More than any other time of the year, Lent reminds us that love for one another is how love is ultimately defined at the cross...

Read More

Watch: Full Remarks from the 2023 CT March for Life
Full remarks from the second annual Connecticut March for Life, held on March 22, 2023 at the CT State Capitol.  

Read More

With A Father's Heart: Celebrating the Feast of Saint Joseph
Ordinarily celebrated on March 19, the Feast of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was celebrated in dioceses in the US on March 20 because March 19 fell on a Sunday. As a diocese, let us continue to renew our devotion to the beloved, tender, accepting father Saint Joseph is to us (Patris Corde, 2020).  Click here to read Pope Francis' 2020 Apostolic Letter, "Patris Corde (With A Father's Heart)".  Click here to pray a Litany of Saint Joseph.  See below for a prayer to Saint Joseph. This Lent, give your ...

Read More

Catholic

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

 

Español

 

 
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


    Recently Added Galleries
    Click to view album: Rite of Election
    Click to view album: Mass of Ordination  for Fr. Jacob Ramos
    Click to view album: Mass of Ordination for Father Lawrence Barile
    Click to view album: Palm Sunday
    Latest Articles
    Watch: Full Remarks from the 2023 CT March for Life
    With Much Gratitude, 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal Surpasses Goal for Second Year
    Love of the Eucharist - Hope & Faith Video Series
    Forgive them-The Video
    With A Father's Heart: Celebrating the Feast of Saint Joseph
    Come Pray For Vocations
    RSVP: Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti Annual Fundraiser
    Calendar of Events

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294