Pro Choice–

If His Holiness “broke” your heart and “stood tall” for only a “moment” then, quite clearly, you have a long way to go before accepting the fullness of the Truth that John Paul II and the Church offer humanity.

But you’ve begun to see the light and I encourage you to continue seeking the truth. All truth leads to God, who is, after all, Truth itself.

One of the fundamental teachings of Christ that seems to escape you is that the sanctity of the human person– and, therefore, the right to life of the unborn– has nothing to do with the circumstances surrounding her life– not the manner by which she was conceived, her health, her prospects, her abilities or potential, her inconvenience to her mother– nothing.

No one who refers to herself as “pro-choice” (to any point) accepts this teaching; they are mutually exclusive. That is why one cannot be both Christian and pro-choice.

John Paul II and Benedict XVI were annointed Vicars of Christ by the Holy Spirit. As such, they are clear “signs of contradiction.” If we feel uncomfortable by what these men– the spiritual leaders of the entire human family– say, it’s time to re-examine our consciences toward further conversion, further conformity to Christ.

And all of us are called to further conversion; the “furthering” never ends.

Kelly, have you ever read the late Pope John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical “The Gospel of Life?” In it, he specifically addresses those who have had abortions. With surpassing eloquence – and words of the greatest resonance – he exudes Christlike compassion and tenderness. These are traits all of us should exhibit – no matter what our religious beliefs may be – or what our political stance on this issue may involve.

The late pontiff broke my heart many times. Candidly, other segments of this encyclical do not move me; but what of it? In this one, shining moment, John Paul II stood tall amongst his predecessors – or his successor, for that matter.

Kelly, don’t listen to the self-righteous and the cruel. Read “The Gospel of Life”; ponder the words in your heart; and then read it again. I have done so – more than a few times. You and I may differ – politically – on this matter. To some degree at least. But none of that matters right now.

Listen to the late pontiff – not the cruel castigators. He rent my heart asunder more than once; conversely, in this singular moment in time (and a few others as well), he compelled me to love him.

Kelly, if you do not have a copy of this encyclical, just go to “Google” or “Alta Vista” or any Catholic bookstore and request a copy. Religious preference does not matter here. Healing – and understanding – are paramount.