‘Life is Always a Good’ is a must-read for all pro-life advocates

New Vatican document published on the 30th anniversary of Evangelium Vitae

Dear Brothers and Sisters, every human life, unique and unrepeatable, has value in and of itself; it is of inestimable value. This must always be proclaimed anew with the courage of the Word and the courage of actions. It calls us to solidarity and fraternal love for the great human family and for each of its members.

“Life is Always a Good: Initiating Processes for a Pastoral Care of Human Life” begins with these powerful words of Pope Francis, who was commenting on Pope St. John Paul II’s 1995 seminal pro-life encyclical Evangelium Vitae. The new document from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life is addressed to the Family and Life Offices of the Bishops’ Conferences and dioceses worldwide, serving as a framework for the pastoral care of human life.

“Life is Always a Good” is organized into ten sections, each covered in a total of 33 pages. Unlike most Vatican documents, which are usually all text, this document utilizes images, flowcharts and step-by-step infographics to help the reader with the practical application of its content.

Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, writes, “The pastoral framework does not aim to provide preset and ready-to-use ‘recipes.’ Instead, it aims to initiate ‘processes’ to develop a pastoral care of human life for all.”

Cardinal Farrell explains, “To this end, I encourage every bishop, priest, religious man and woman, and lay person to read this pastoral framework and strive to develop an organic and structured Pastoral Care of Human Life, which can provide workers, educators, teachers, parents, young people and children the right formation to respect the value of life.”

I encourage you to take some time with “Life is Always a Good,” especially if you advocate for the dignity of human life in the Diocese of Boise. Download a free copy.

The document addresses many issues that surfaced during the Ad Limina Apostolorum visits of bishops worldwide who meet with Pope Francis every five years. The document presents an infographic that shows the top life issues discussed at these meetings with the Holy Father. The graphic includes abortion, contraception, IVF (invitro fertilization), sexual morality/gender, violence against women, human trafficking, euthanasia, assisted suicide and many more.

Section 6, “Needed Aptitudes,” caught my attention as the document outlines the necessary skills for those seeking to be leaders in this important pastoral work. The document calls attention to six qualities that each pro-life leader should have:

• Creative fidelity refers to the ability to understand the richness of Church teaching and the aptitude to apply it to the present.

  
  

• Discernment is a profound look at reality and oneself. The human being listens to a reality that surpasses him and through which the Holy Spirit speaks. This means allowing the Lord to illuminate our conscience with His Spirit, enabling us to discern what is good. Such discernment is experienced in prayer, listening to the Word, the Magisterium, and reading the signs of times. Discernment within a church community enables the faithful to listen to what “the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7). Such listening allows parishes to avoid making decisions based solely on human criteria.

  
  

• Operational consistency is the ability to harmonize the difference between the vision you would like to follow and the current reality. It enables us to develop potential strategies based on available resources.

  
  

• The mentality of abundance enables members of a parish working on pro-life issues to see the diversity of its ideas as an opportunity rather than a limitation. The mentality of abundance enhances ecclesial communion and fosters greater sensitivity to cultural and historical differences.

  
  

• Generative accompaniment is the virtue that invites dialogue with a high level of consideration for the other, resulting in the ability to listen, as well as a high level of courage in making proposals.

  
  

• The logic of synergic integration considers the good of all, creating solutions that are better than the previous alternatives. Such integration brings forth new solutions rather than forcing compromises from one party or the other. It listens for the possibility of a “third” way.

As I reflect on the good work happening in many of our parishes in our Diocese, I believe our leaders possess many of these essential qualities. While all six aptitudes are rarely found in one person, larger teams working together toward a common goal often have all the qualities needed to be successful. It’s the old adage, “All of us together are smarter than any of us alone.”

We are fortunate to have many solid and active parish-based Respect Life teams. From Bonners Ferry to Boise and from Boise to Preston, these dedicated groups accomplish a great deal of practical good. I am reminded of the educational and healing work of the leaders at St. Edward’s in Twin Falls, as well as the great work done with our youth at Our Lady of the Rosary’s Ignite for Life youth group. I applaud the human formation offered through the Treasure Valley Teens for Life or the Bishop Kelly Knights for Life. The St. Mark’s Respect Life leaders have been present for years, helping to bring the Gospel of life to both young and old. I must mention the healing work that our own diocesan Miscarriage Ministry is doing to help those who have suffered the loss of a child. This June, Holy Apostles in Meridian will launch Heart of a Child Ministry, dedicated to teaching youth about human development.

Many positive developments are occurring throughout the Diocese, particularly in education and the formation of consciences on a range of life issues. For all those who do this vital work, please keep it up and be inspired by this new framework which may enrich your leadership and help make your efforts even more effective in upholding the dignity of each human person, all of whom are made in God’s image and likeness.

This pastoral framework emphasizes that “we cannot separate faith from the defense of dignity and human life . . . Dignity exists and can never be lost because the individual exists; it extends to the entire person, regardless of his abilities, in any conditions and situations they may be, from conception to natural death. Today, this truth must be explained, narrated, and proclaimed.” 

                                                —Life is Always a Good