Two words, a and the, are defined as articles in English Grammar. These two small words are called determiners and make/determine the vital difference in pro-life discussions, conversations and decisions.
The argument against the phrase, equally sacred priorities, highlights the difference between a and the. The critics claim that equally sacred, makes abortion a preeminent issue rather than the preeminent issue. Let us be clear: life, all life, is the preeminent issue. Therefore, the life of the unborn is as precious to God as the life of the already born. The life of the preborn is equal in God’s unconditional loving to the life of the convict scheduled for the death penalty. The life of the unborn has the same claim on God’s providence as the life of the refugee fleeing from death threats. A baby just born enjoys the same human dignity as an assisted living resident with Alzheimer’s.
Affordable health care is an equally sacred issue for the wealthy as well as the poor with whom Christ identified himself. (Whatever you do to the least of my brothers or sisters, you do to me. Mt 25:40) When we care for the planet, we acknowlege that its life supports our lives.
Too often pro-life is restricted by definition to pro-birth/anti-abortion. When pro-life is defined by that limitation, the common good suffers. However, when pro-life is defined by inclusion of equally sacred priorities, the common good becomes a goal enlivened by hope. Preceding preeminent with an a, does not diminish the preeminient issue of life. Each a extends, enhances, and informs the totality of what contributes to the preeminence of life and the common good.
The Common Good and the Law
Saints Augustine and Thomas Aquinas agreed with Catholic teaching that distinguishes between what is immoral and what should be unlawful. Aquinas believed that laws, which large numbers of people would disobey were bad for society.
For example, Prohibition led to a disrepect for law in general which is harmful to public order. Therefore, Catholics, while believing that abortion is immoral, recognize it is a prudential judgment to allow abortion to remain legal. Inherent in making abortion illegal is the realization that it would be harmful to the common good. Not only would many people find ways to break the law; it would also lead to the nonobservance of other laws. Click to read Four reasons for the Vatican’s action on Communion for pro-choice politicians
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