Only a few months after his election, St. John Paul II began 1979 urging everyone to support pregnant women in any way they can.
His words of encouragement were given after the celebration of Christmas, and during his first general audience in 1979.
He introduces the subject as a “great cry” and “challenge.”
This fact of which I am speaking is a great cry, it is a permanent challenge to individuals and to all, particularly, perhaps, in our time, in which a great proof of moral consistency is often asked of the expectant mother. In fact, what is euphemistically defined as “interruption of pregnancy” (abortion) cannot be evaluated with truly human categories other than those of the moral law, that is, of conscience.
St. John Paul II then explains what he believes everyone must do for pregnant women.
Consequently, the mother who is about to give birth cannot be left alone with her doubts, difficulties and temptations. We must stand by her side, so that she will not put a burden on her conscience, so that the most fundamental bond of man’s respect for man will not be destroyed. Such, in fact, is the bond that begins at the moment of conception, as a result of which we must all, in a certain way, be with every mother who must give birth; and we must offer her all the help possible.
This cuts to the heart of the problem, as many women who seek out abortions, do so because of a lack of support from society, but also from each one of us.
We should ask ourselves how much we support pregnant women and if we are doing enough in our local community. We don’t need to wait for government programs, as we can start right now by supporting women in our community, who may be contemplating abortion.
Support of women remains one of the primary keys to abolishing abortion.
And today we celebrate...