Introduction: The text that follows is the talk given by Bishop Estévez at Vida Humana Internacional's fundraising dinner in Miami, November 11, 2004.
We are rapidly approaching the end of the liturgical year. This year, the feast of Christ the King will be celebrated on November 21. During these last few weeks of the liturgical year, the Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church includes readings from the book of Maccabees. At a time when many Jews were urging "accommodation," "cohabitation" and "toleration" to the dictates of Antiochus Epiphanes and his cohorts, the Maccabees defied the powers of the time, conventional wisdom and the odds against them to rise in defense of Israel and the covenant.
The Kings officials lured the Maccabees into some kind of deal and submission to their whims in exchange for protection and wealth. In reply to the luring of the officials Mattathias says:
I bring this story up because I think that there is a great similarity with the cause of life in today's world. The advocates of the culture of death seem to have the upper hand, I am not just limiting myself to the political field but to the broader subject of human culture. And we, the advocates of life, are told that if we want to remain relevant in the world or keep up with the times, we ought to understand that in a "pluralistic society" we cannot impose our views on others. A perverse anthropology that dehumanizes us and has contempt for the truth about humanity, seems to have taken root in our culture, which has effectively become a "culture of death".
It is up against these world powers that pro-life institutions such as Human Life International stand up and rise much like the Maccabees. The battle is definitely unequal. We are much stronger than they are. Yes, you heard me well and I meant what I said. It is us who are the stronger party in this fight. In spite of appearances and human calculations, we, the men and women of good will who stand up for life, family and faith, have the upper hand. The God of Israel, the Trinitarian God of Jesus Christ is the God of Life. The mother of God, Mary Most Holy, protects us with her mantle and guides us as we work towards the advancement of a "culture of life".
In his infinite wisdom, God who governs the universe with providence has deigned to ordain that humanity cooperate with Him in the building of his Kingdom. Grace cooperates with nature. Grace presupposes nature. The cause of life, the defense of the family is not a religious or ideological issue. It is part of the natural order of things. The Church defends life because respect for life is in the order of creation. The Church promotes family life because it is in the family that humanity is nurtured and flourishes. Our faith is not indifferent nor should it remain passive or inoperative when human life is at stake. Life is an invaluable treasure, a true gift from God, which must be defended by all men and women of good faith. Again I say, the cause of life is not a religious issue but a human rights issue. Human Life International has been a providential tool at the service of humanity. Because it serves humanity it also serves the Catholic Church.
Tonight we have gathered to show our support for the work of Human Life International among Hispanics in the United States and in Latin America. Latin America has not been immune to the culture of death. Those who promote the "culture of death" in Latin America know full well that the path to legalized abortion goes through contraceptives and judicial usurpation of powers.
Many countries have enacted government programs of "reproductive health" to freely distribute abortifacients and contraceptive pills to youth. In spite of the crisis in health care and the scarcity of resources, regional governments give in to the enticements of the "merchants of death."
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
We have an outstanding example of perseverance and hard work here, in front of us, Human Life International. From its very humble beginnings due to the visionary and prophetic work of Fr. Paul Marx to the current organization under the assertive leadership of Fr. Tom Euteneuer, HLI has confronted the culture of death and its promoters throughout the world. Like David against Goliath, HLI has achieved resounding successes in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Nobody personifies the spirit that animates HLI than Ms. Magaly Llaguno. In spite of her health, in spite of the meager resources she has led Vida Humana Internacional and established it as the largest network of pro-life organizations fighting the good fight in Latin America. Organizations of doctors and nurses, associations of housewives, individuals and clergy have been recruited, trained and supported by Vida Humana Internacional and its staff.
It is now our turn to come to the help of Vida Humana. The first and most powerful weapon at hand is our prayer. From a human point of view we are at a disadvantage. We lack the resources, the media and the political apparatus to defend the cause of life. Yet we know that in spite of the many battles yet to be fought the war has been won for us. The ultimate destiny of the universe and the Church are assured through the merits of Christ. Because of human freedom, however, individual souls are still at risk. Therefore, prayer is the first order for pro-lifers. HLI needs your prayers! Because grace cooperates with nature, we need to put also the means for saving grace to reach those who are most in need. That is why I want to encourage all of you today to support HLI financially and also with your time and talents. We have a formidable task ahead of us. Vida Humana Internacional is a most apt instrument in the pursuit of our objectives. Victory will not come through the political process alone, it will come one heart at a time. It is true that political processes are very important, yet we must remember that our aim is not simply to be a political force. The cause of life is not an ideology, it is the cause of humanity, the protection of the most fundamental human right.
Although we should do everything we can to support candidates that embrace the cause of life, we cannot be content with electing one candidate. Some time ago, a very famous American columnist, George Will, said that the day that a human life amendment to the US constitution is enacted will be the day that it will not be needed because it would mean that people have come to appreciate and respect the infinite value of each life. HLI is feverishly working towards that day, when hearts will be won for life and the laws of all countries will reflect that reality. The work of Human Life International does not stop at the political level. It confronts the culture of death at all levels: education, media and politics. It goes to the root of the problem addressing the "contraceptive mentality" and educating the general public.
In the recent past, Latin America has had very tragic experiences in the area of human rights. These resulted in increased awareness on this subject in every single country in the region. Sadly, as is the case in the United States, many organizations that claim to defend human rights and individual liberty have fallen prey to the "culture of death." Yet, as John Paul II so eloquently tells us in Christifideles Laici:
"…The acknowledgment of the personal dignity of every human being demands the respect, the defence and the promotion of the rights of the human person. It is a question of inherent, universal and inviolable rights. No one, no individual, no group, no authority, no State, can change -let alone eliminate- them because such rights find their source in God himself.
The inviolability of the person which is a reflection of the absolute inviolability of God, fínds its primary and fundamental expression in the inviolability of human life. Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights-for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture- is false and illusory (emphasis added) if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination." (CL 38)
Human Life International exists to defend life, family and faith with maximum determination. Vida Humana Internacional needs your help.
In the second book of Maccabees we hear the story of a mother and her seven sons who were executed because of their desire to remain faithful to God. "Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage, she exhorted each of them in the language of their forefathers with these words: "I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man's beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law." (2 Mac 7: 21-23)
The sacred author tells us that she was "most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance" because she had "hope in the Lord." (2 Mac 7:20) The Maccabean mother is an example for us in the pro-life movement too. She knew full well when the life of her sons began. She knew full well that their ultimate destiny was union with God.
Long after the battle for life is won, which it will be, and God willing, sooner than we anticipate, people will remember those admirable and courageous men and women who hoped in the Lord and patiently worked for the advancement of a "culture of life," a "civilization of love." Vida Humana Internacional invites us today to join them in this fight for a worthy cause. We are fighting for hearts. We are going to win one heart at a time.
The words of Mattathias rally us in support of Human Life International and their worthy cause:
"Arrogance and scorn have now grown strong; it is a time of disaster and violent anger. Therefore, my sons, be zealous for the law and give your lives for the covenant of our fathers. "Remember the deeds that our fathers did in their times, and you shall win great glory and an everlasting name." (1 Mac 48-51)
To serve the cause of life is to worship the Lord of life
May God through the intercession of Mary Most Holy bless you, your families and the work of Human Life International.