The feast of the Annunciation, 25 March, marks God’s saving entry into human history in all the mystery and fragility of motherhood and the risk of life as a tiny human embryo. This year the feast marks the 25th anniversary of the declaration of the ground breaking encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), one of most important and distinctive of Pope John Paul II’s long and significant Pontificate.
In Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II changed the way the Church, and many in the world, talked about bioethical issues. He widened and linked central ethical issues such as abortion, euthanasia, suicide, population control, reproductive technology with underlying philosophical and social attitudes and practices, those which marginalise the weak, objectify the human body, exploit the poor, and justify violence and coercion. The document considers a wide array of major and burning issues: the nature of civil law, the importance of the dignity of each person, the issue of capital punishment, war, the respect for creation and nature – issues which have become even more troubling today than they were 25 years ago.
This Lent it is worth challenging ourselves with three key tasks set out by Pope John Paul II:
1. To deepen our understanding of the Gospel of life
The Catholic Women’s League itself has taken into the heart of its mission many of the key phrases which were highlighted in the encyclical: the civilization of love and life (EV 27.1); of 'choosing between the culture of life and the culture of death' (EV 28:2); of respect for life (EV 70); 'proclaiming the Gospel of Life' (EV 80); the general mobilization of consciences (EV 90) and perhaps most controversially the new feminism (EV 99). But are these terms only slogans for us?
An important step in promoting a true 'culture of life' is both personal reflection and education. In particular we need to learn about God’s culture in key moments in the Scriptures. Four sections of Evangelium Vitae pivot around God’s revelation as the source, guide and lover of 'life'. Have we reflected upon these?
This portrait of the caring face of God is further developed in the Church’s wisdom and her life. Are we inspired by the holy figures and saints? Mother Teresa, St Francis, Dom Bosco, St Vincent De Paul, Dorothy Day all show us examples building up a civilisation of life - with different personalities. Who are our models for life?
How well do we understand the connections between issues and how well informed are we? Do we understand for instance why John Paul II insists that: “The trivialization of sexuality is among the principal factors which have led to contempt for new life. Only a true love is able to protect life.” Have we explored the knowledge of the Church’s teaching beyond the newspaper headlines? Do we keep ourselves informed and thoughtful?
2. To choose life at home
Evangelium Vitae, is not intended as an abstract theological 'policy' text for discussion by 'bioethical' experts. The promotion of the culture of life, comes with our membership of the human race (as children of the one Creator) and with our baptism as adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.
Whether we are young or old, academic or hands-on, regional or urban, it is our vocation to make the respect and value of human life a concrete and grassroots reality. The 'culture of Life' is a 'culture of Love' and like love, proclaiming and celebrating life begins at 'home'. John Paul II insists that women will be essential to the building up of the civilisation of life and love.
The very attitudes, expressions and simple gestures of our relationships, families, communities and workplaces witness far more than our words. Do we talk about the evils of euthanasia, but refuse to visit our frail and demented aunties? Are we strongly against the destruction of disabled unborn babies, but move away from the boy with Down’s sitting next to us in Church?
Are we people of the Beatitudes? Are we humble, merciful and just towards those we see damaged and misguided by the 'culture of death'? Are we grateful for the graces we have been given?
“We need,” urges the Pope, “to begin with the renewal of a culture of life within Christian communities themselves ... often it happens that believers, even those who take an active part in the life of the Church, end up by separating their Christian faith from its ethical requirements concerning life ...” (EV 95.2).
3. Solidarity with others - in faith, hope and joy
Bioethics can be daunting and sometimes depressing. Legislative defeats and cultural opposition to the Church’s message about unborn life, about sexuality, the preciousness of the elderly and disabled and value of 'suffering' can bite deeply into our energy and confidence. The constant lack of understanding and respect which we find in the secular media and even among our peers can tempt us to be bitter and angry. Without the support of like minded friends, a sense of humour and prayer, we will not make the distance.
John Paul II reminds us that as people of “life” we are people of 'joy' and hope. Not because we always win the argument or the day, or because we make light of suffering or give glib answers to major problems. We celebrate Jesus’ conception, Mary’s pregnancy and the Nativity, and the Crucifixion not because they are cosy fantasies, but because God chose to share our suffering and vulnerability, to enter human experience in loving solidarity with our pain and sin in order to bring it to full life and so that "the full meaning of every human birth, and the joy which accompanies the Birth of the Messiah is thus seen to be the foundation and fulfilment of joy at every child born into the world" (EV no.1). This gift of solidarity enables us to touch the hearts and minds of others. The amazing thing is when we focus upon our love for others we cannot always see the light we bring.
Anna Krohn
Bioethics Convenor
March 2010
Anna Krohn is an educator and educational writer, and is currently a tutor in ethics and spirituality in the Department of Nursing at Australian Catholic University, Melbourne. She is also the Academic Advisor to students at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family and, a writer for the Catholic Record in Perth and other religious media.
She has worked for many years in the areas of publishing (print & online), educational resource writing and editing, public speaking, professional training and in the research of health ethics at the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute (Adelaide) and at the former Bioethics Centre at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.
Anna is also currently an honorary co-ordinator of volunteers and collections the Caroline Chisholm Library in Melbourne. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for Campion College for the Liberal Arts in NSW and a founding member and convenor of the Anima Women’s Network. She has trained in library and information work, and has completed a Bachelor of Theology at the Melbourne College of Divinity. She is currently completing a Ph D in Theology.
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