NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC CONGRESS
Directives to Protect Unborn Children
(Article: Page 1 of 3)
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"[T]he acceptance of abortion
by many as a common procedure and even as a right is
A reality not only in our American society as a whole,
but also within the Black community…
As a people of faith, it is our task to fight for the right of life
of all our children and in all circumstances of their existence."
- Black Catholic Bishops of the United States
What We Have Seen and Heard (1984)
Although African-Americans constitute 12-14% of the national population, they account for more than 33% of all abortions in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since January 22, 1973, roughly 15-16 million Black children have been aborted in our country. Tragically, abortion has taken more Black lives that crime, cancer, heart disease, accidents, and HIV/AIDS combined!
Everyone must play a role, but Black Catholics play perhaps a foremost role in the "great struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness." (Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life, paragraph 104)
As such, we must live, serve, proclaim, and celebrate the Gospel of Life which consists in the proclamation of the very person of Jesus Christ, "the way, the truth, and life" (John 14:6) and "the resurrection and the life" (John 11:26) who "came that [we] may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
We who have had our lives and dignity demeaned and dehumanized are indeed a "people of life and a people for life" (The Gospel of Life, Paragraph 101) who may bear the best witness to the Gospel of Life in our ordinary, everyday lives but extraordinary and exemplary ways.
Pope John Paul II noted, "In celebrating the Gospel of life we also need to appreciate and make good use of the…traditions and customs of different cultures and peoples. There are special times and ways in which the peoples of different nations and cultures express joy for a newborn life, respect for and protection of individual human lives…"
(The Gospel of Life, Paragraph 85) As Black Catholics, we can do no less.
Ideal State 1 |
Black Catholics Celebrate The Word of Life Made Flesh (1John 1:1-2) through Prayer and Sacrament
"'This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me."'
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| Strategy 1: |
Conduct frequently holy Hours for Life before the Blessed Sacrament.
The Holy Hour for Life has been prepared by the Josephite Pro-Life, Pro-Marriage,
Pro-Family Committee. |
| Strategy 2: |
Pray the Rosary like The Rosary Life: The
Glorious Mysteries prepared by the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. |
| Strategy 3: |
Conduct Novena for Reparations for Sins Against
Human Life available through the Josephite Pro-Life, Pro-Marriage,
Pro-Family Committee. |
| Strategy 4: |
Pray pro-life prayers and devotions during
various liturgical seasons like the Stations of the Cross during the Lenten
Season. |
| Strategy 5: |
Include intentions calling attention to the
matter of abortion during the Prayers of the Faithful at Holy Mass. |
| Strategy 6: |
Organize liturgies featuring pro-life homilies
and prayers of the faithful on Respect Life Sunday and during Abortion
Awareness Month in the Black Community. |
| Strategy 7: |
Participate in the National Vigil Mass for Life
on January 21st in Washington, D.C. and/or organize local liturgy. |
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