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Wisconsin Catholic Conferences Catholics at the Capitol 2013: A Pro-lifers Perspective

By Will Goodman, SOLG, MTS The Church cannot and should not replace the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice. She has to play her part through rational argument and she has to reawaken the spiritual energy without which justice, which always demands sacrifice, cannot prevail and prosper. (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, #26, 2006) The above citation from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI set the theme for the 8th Biennial Legislative Conference, Catholics at the Capitol: Reclaiming the Common Good in the Year of Faith, sponsored by the Wisconsin Catholic Conference at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison on April 10, 2013. In attendance were most of the Shepherds of the State of Wisconsin: Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee, Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Bishop Peter F. Christensen of Superior, Bishop Donald J. Hying (Auxiliary of Milwaukee), and Bishop Robert F. Morneau (Auxiliary of Green Bay). Bishop William Callahan of La Crosse was unable to be present due to illness, but was there in spirit and prayer. The event was well-organized and smoothly-run by members of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference staff under the direction of Mr. John Huebscher, Executive Director; Associate Directors Barbara Sella and Kim Wadas; and Administrative Assistant Cathy Coyle-Kaufmann. Overall, I believe the conference was quite good in many respects, and God-willing, fruitful. The particular focus of this article is limited to provide a pro-lifers perspective on the days events and offer some suggestions for Catholics who are interested in defending the Churchs teaching on human dignity in the public square at our state capitol in respectful and faithful union with our Bishops.

The Schedule
The basic schedule of the day included an Opening Prayer Service led by Bishop Morlino, a keynote address by Bishop Christensen, a morning and an afternoon breakout session (7 presentations each session), a brief lunch Invocation by Bishop Ricken along with a short address by Governor Scott Walker, a plenary panel discussion, closing remarks and prayer by Archbishop Listecki, and an opportunity for visits with lawmakers at the capitol. (See full schedule: http://www.wisconsincatholic.org/catholics_at_capitol_2011_schedule.cfm ) During the Opening Prayer Service, Bishop Morlino, suffering from a terrible head cold, offered a succinct and inspiring homily calling upon the lay faithful to be awake to the serious and unprecedented threats against religious liberty, and not to shrink away from this national battlein which we are all called by Christ to defend life, liberty and the natural moral law. Now is not the time to back off of the threats to religious liberty, His Excellency stated, noting that the Holy Spirit will guide us in this work and what we are to say. Stressing the crucial importance of this historic threat, particularly in challenging the unjust HHS mandate, he called upon all Catholics in Wisconsin to be courageous! God bless Bishop Morlino for his call to make this essential defense and by leading through his own courageous example! The excellent keynote address by the Most Reverend Peter F. Christensen, Bishop of Superior, was entitled Reclaiming the Common Good in the Year of Faith. Using the thematic quotation from Deus Caritas Est (#26), Bishop Christensen outlined the responsibility of Catholics to be educated on the current topics of

legislative debate, reminded us of our duty to order civic society according to the truth, and highlighted the privilege of celebrating our faith in the public squaresharing the truth through our love of others. His Excellency included great quotes from the beautifully moving second century Letter of Diognetus, found in the Office of Readings, recounting that the Christian is to society, what the soul is to the body [as] champions of no merely-human doctrine. In articulating the Churchs social teachings and Her work for justice, Bishop Christensen pointed out the first fundamental theme: the life and dignity of every human person. He stressed that all attacks on human life must be vigorously addressed, starting with abortion and euthanasia, and extending to immoral scientific research, human trafficking and the death penalty. [This] vision is the moral foundation of society, he stated, noting that the measure of every society is how it treats the dignity of each person. The keynote also emphasized using the gifts of human reason along with the truths of our faith, stressing the need for civility and much charity. Christensen said, If we understand that we are loved, that God loves us, this orders everything from the very truth of our identity. Thus, as we understand that we are loved by God, we can love others and share the truth with society in civility, charity and gratitude. In the context of our call to be witnesses to the Gospel of Christ in the public arena today, the Bishop also shared a powerful quote from the Prophet Daniel, Fear not, you are safe, take courage and be strong and do not fear you are My beloved. Be strong. (Daniel 10:19) He also commented on a paragraph from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on marriage stating that one must do nothing to hinder your spouse from spending eternity with God; and through the virtue of charity, this injunction extends to all people at all times, even politicians! Bishop Christensen concluded by urging us Catholics to celebrate our faith, demonstrate gratitude to God especially through the gift of prayerand to intercede for our elected officials with heart-felt supplication. Ending his address with the Lords Prayer for all public and civil servants, the good Bishop practiced the very truths which he so eloquently preached. God bless Bishop Christensen! (Note: There was hope of posting this speech on the WCC website; do check it outits worth the read.) As the day shifted into the morning and afternoon breakout sessions, I can only comment firsthand on the two that I attended. The first, Peace and Non-Violence in the Holy Land led by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, O.P., was an eye-opening treatment of the UN Human Rights Committees report on Israels gross violation of the Geneva Convention as well as many UN treaties / instruments, all against the Palestiniansmany of whom are fellow Catholics. While not a pro-life talk per se, as with other topics at the event there was certainly in this session a strong connection to the Churchs vigilance in the protection of human persons. One cannot deny that as with other unjust wars and crimes against humanity, the current actions of Israel in the occupied territories are an affront to human dignity and unjust attack on innocent human life. We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The moderator for this presentation, Mr. Patrick Delaney, Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis from the Diocese of Madison, stated that the WCC conference provided the elevation of an issue we need to pay closer attention to as Catholics: the desire for peace and nonviolence in the Holy Land and the Churchs position on the Israeli / Palestinian conflict. He continued, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner from Edgewood College presented documentation of Israels human rights abuses against the Palestinians, and his handout highlighted the support of the Middle East Bishops and the Holy See for the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council in relation to Israels occupation of the Arab territories. Furthermore, the Holy Sees support for international law in this matter mirrors the diplomatic position of the Palestinian Authority, a very well kept secret in the United States. The second break out session I attended was entitled Our First, Most Cherished Liberty and was presented by His Excellency, Bishop Robert Morlino. As the bishop was under the weather, the presentation turned into more of an informal, though intimate and rich discussion about the grave threats offered to religious liberty by the current administration; and the theological and philosophical errors contributing to this serious crisis. Morlino pointed to faulty notions of freedom which in our culture end up amounting to little more than

an excuse for habitual sin. He quoted extensively from Francis Cardinal Georges recent insightful article, Im Not Spiritual, Im Religious, noting that in our country being spiritual is really just an individualistic, subjective, relative, and private means of becoming isolated. Whereas religion is rightfully understood as objective, public, and realan experience that starts outside of me as Jesus calls and invites me to join Him and follow Him. The current administration in DC has proffered a serious reduction, by equating religion to merely private spirituality that rejects objective truth, especially in the moral order. Bishop Morlino stressed the importance for Catholics to know what true freedom is and what authentic religion is, in countering these dangerous errors of our time. Freedom is the ability to what is right without coercion, St. Thomas Aquinas tells us; and religion is an objective matter of justly rendering unto God what is His due. The Bishop also spoke of the crucial mission of the laity today and the key role of the natural moral law in discussing controversies in the public arena. An interesting question & answer session followed in which His Excellency covered many points. Of interest to pro-lifers, the Bishop taught that there is an essential difference between issues such as abortion/euthanasia and war/capital punishment. The former are never justifiable and always evil; the latter are rarely justifiable. Thus, there is a higher priority in eliminating those evils that are never justifiableand a special priority with assessing candidates and their positions on opposing abortion/euthanasiaand a lower priority on the other issues. He stressed that these different issues are not all on the same level of importance, and this is a problem particularly for those with subjective spirituality, not for those who are religious. He also said on numerous occasions that in our work to defend life, marriage and religious liberty, that there are strong reasons for optimism: as the Popes have taught us, it goes back to a personal meeting with Jesus risen from the deadthe starting point for the New Evangelization. He said that the media and others may try to ignore us and give us a negative or losing perspective, but Jesus is raised! this is no defeatist perspective! Again, God bless Bishop Morlino! While I did not attend Dr. Constance Nielsens presentation on The Dignity of Life as it conflicted with Bishop Morlinos talk, I am confident that it was an excellent exposition of the Churchs teaching. Connie is a faithful Catholic and strong pro-lifer committed to defending life intelligently and prayerfully. Others who attended were impressed by this session, and the unique approach to the topic, showing how the defense of human life and human dignity is a matter of social justice and part of the Social Magisterium of the Catholic Church. This presentation also touched upon advocating for a renewed culture of life. (Contact Dr. Nielsen at St. Ambrose Academy in Madison if you would like more information on her breakout session: http://www.ambroseacademy.org/joomla/index.php.) I also could not be present for the end-of-life session with the topic, The Churchs Teaching on LifeSustaining Treatment, offered by Fr. Patrick Norris, O.P. Peggy Hamil of Pro-Life Wisconsin attended this talk and offered the following commentary: I regularly give workshops on Pro-Life Wisconsins Protective Power of Attorney for Health Care so I was drawn to attend the breakout session on medical decision-making by Fr. Norris. I found this presentation to be extremely informative, it was filled with detailed and practical rationale for having a protective pro-life power of attorney for health care. Working at St. Marys Hospital, Fr. Norris could give case after case of circumstances that would warrant a person having such a document. He warned of POLST (Physicians Order for Life Sustaining Treatment) forms and gave the Bishops strong warning against the use of any such document. (Notesome of the breakout sessions were recorded and may be available on the WCC website: http://www.wisconsincatholic.org/.) Prior to lunch, Bishop Ricken of Green Bay offered a few inspiring words of encouragement and a powerful invocation for those in attendance and prayed for their important mission in the Church. Afterwards, Governor Scott Walker appeared as a special guest to greet and thank all of those present at the conference.

Asking himself the rhetorical question of what the son of a Baptist minister would be doing at a Catholic convention?, he went on to explain his great appreciation for the leadership and service the Church has offered in our state and nation, especially in the fields of health care and education. He also recognized the Catholic Churchs strong voice in defense of human life, and said that his own pro-life convictions were intensified and forever changed when he saw his own preborn sons face in the ultrasound and heard the childs heartbeat. The Governor said from that point onward, he was committed to the cause. His presentation continued with certain elements he is promoting in the state budget, with a special emphasis on parental-choice in education. In the afternoon there was a panel discussion with Bishop Christensen, Bishop Donald J. Hying (Auxiliary of Milwaukee), Julianne Stanz (Director of Evangelization with the Diocese of Green Bay), and Barbara Sella (Associate Director of the WCC), which was moderated by Mr. John Heubscher (Executive Director of the WCC). The topic of the discussion was loosely about the right of Catholics to engage in the public policy debates and how to respond to those who critique the Church while we advance the common good. Many excellent points were brought out in the discussions, nearly all of which could easily be considered as relevant to the particular mission of those working in the pro-life apostolate. Of the many good examples that could be offered, I will limit myself to oneBishop Hying stated that we must articulate what we are for, and when we speak against something, demonstrate that it is because we are affirming a greater yes, such as in our discussions about the life, marriage and the moral teachings of Christ. He stated that the world must see the Gospel lived out. It is the difference between reading Shakespeares Hamlet in a book and seeing the play acted out. Along these lines, Pope Francis was offered by Bishop Hying as a wonderful example of one who reveals the power of action, the symbolic gesture, and being truly accessible to others. God bless Pope Francis and Bishop Hying!

A Pro-Life Perspective
A pro-lifers perspective is generally one that is very, very sensitive to the worst holocaust ever known to all of human historya brutal injustice against the most innocent of all children, and against mothers and fathers, and all of civil society. Sadly, after over 40 years of nearly unabated slaughter, it is rightly understood that the myriad deplorable attacks against life in the womb through surgical, chemical and experimental forms of deadly violence certainly lead to even more violence against human persons at every other stage in life; and undermine society at its most basic foundation. Along with this solidarity for the victims of violence, Catholic pro-lifers also understand the teachings of the Faith indicate that although many injustices exist in societyand all must be countered by the People of Godthere is a grave urgency and special priority to abolishing the mass destruction of human persons before birth, and bringing immediate legal protection to each person without exception from the first moment of conception until natural death. Thus, for those who are committed to defending life, everything related to a legislative conference sponsored by the Bishops of the State of Wisconsin should reflect this hierarchical moral and social imperative and recognize the absolute urgency and priority of ending these particularly brutal and horrific crimes against humanity which cry to God for justice. In fairness, the fact that this years legislative conference was not primarily focused on ending the abortion holocaust as immediately and as soon as humanly possible, can certainly not be laid solely on the shoulders of the WCC to be sure. In a budget year, as we are now having in our State, it is difficult for any crises to be placed above the obvious fiscal and economic priorities held by most legislators. Similarly, the WCC is to some degree limited to those pro-life initiatives that have been brought into the legislative process during this term. With that said, however, it is also fair to say that these procedural difficulties and human limitations must be ardently and courageously overcome; and that every honest attempt must be made to work for the justice of these helpless children whose very lives are held in the balance of our collective efforts. Innocent human lives are depending on us! We must therefore live and work and pray in such a way that witnesses to the divine reality that their lives matter, and that the Church is tirelessly committed to defending the right to life of every person, without exception; in every legislative session, without exceptionparticularly in those sessions where legislators would prefer to ignore the babies cries. If there is no legislative agenda or

political priority to defend the defenseless, then it is up to usthe blessed members of the Body of Christto do all we can to change the agenda; and to advocate sane, holy priorities in favor of human life and human rights before, during and after birth! As the theme of this conference points out, [the Church] cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice (cf. Deus Caritas Est, #26). My own personal, and admittedly limited, critique of both the pros and cons for this event would be based only upon my experience, and how I believe the preborn might view this conference from the perspective of their own currently bleak and dire political fate. First the pros: I must express my true gratitude for being personally sponsored with a scholarship by the WCC to attend this good event along with another volunteer from the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (That pro-life missionaries can be assisted by the WCC staff and invited to help with the events registration is a positive sign of their commitment to the cause of life, and friendly respect for those working on behalf of the preborn and their families.) I can also say I was very happy that there was a discussion by Mr. John Huebscher during the plenary session, of the threats due to the HHS mandate and the problematic narrow definition of what constitutes a religious organization in our own state. Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, he offered a word of encouragement to those visiting their elected officials to go outside of what you are comfortable with, stretching oneself in fostering religious liberty among lawmakers in ways that are civil, polite and intelligent. In addition to this, Mr. Huebscher also pointed to the helpful issue brief printed by the WCC entitled Religious Liberty in Health Care in the conference folder, and highlighted this document in a special way with reference to discussing public policy issues. I am further glad to report that numerous breakout sessions directly related to pro-life / pro-family concerns (e.g., Bishop Morlino on religious liberty, Dr. Constance Nielson on the Dignity of Life, Mrs. Alice Heinzen and Secretary Eloise Anderson on Marriage and Society, and Fr. Patrick Norris, O.P., on lifesustaining treatment). Mr. Patrick Delaney, who coordinates pro-life activities in the Diocese of Madison noted, This years Catholics at the Capitol provided an excellent opportunity for the faithful to reconnect with their bishops, ponder the mind of the Church on many issues of our day, and advocate for them with our legislators. Bishop Peter Christensens keynote address set an excellent backdrop to the rest of the days activities; other highlights included Bishop Robert Morlinos morning Homily and his workshop on Religious Liberty. Although not specifically discussed in detail, I was nonetheless happy that the thorough and wellorganized 2013 Public Policy Positions document by the Wisconsin Catholic Conference articulated and prioritized the theme: life and dignity of the human person; declaring that Every human person is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, each persons life and dignity must be respected from conception to natural death. This section goes on to state: Wisconsin must effectively affirm, protect, and defend each and every human life, including the unborn. Peggy Hamil, State Director of Pro-Life Wisconsin, commented on this document, saying The WCC Position Paper included in our packet had very strong language regarding philosophical support for the recognition of the preborn child as a person and the protection of that preborn persons rights under law. I could not agree more. Thus, including this document in my overall select list of pro-life pros, one sees positive contributions to building a culture of life and a civilization of love in our state; for which pro-life Catholics and non-Catholics alike can and should be thankful. A measured note of constructive criticism, offered in charity, would seem in my mind to include the realistic concern that the focus of this years Message to Legislators did not include a strong plea, or even much of a word on behalf of the preborn and born victims of the culture of death. While the matter of what exactly can be said about and for the unborn in reference to 2013 Biennial Budget bill (AB 40), especially under the current judicial restraints of Roe & Doe, etc. should be soberly considered; I still believe that the strong WCC public policy position defending the life and dignity of the human person was not sufficiently reflected in preparing Catholics for visits to their elected officials, nor in the four chosen budget-related issues especially

prioritized at this years Catholics at the Capitol (viz., parental choice in education, Medicaid coverage for the poor, predatory rent-to-own agreements & usury, and Treatment Alternatives and Diversions [TAD] programs). While these are important issues to be sure, they are quite moot, and even meaningless, to the preborn children threatened with immediate government-sanctioned annihilation. From the perspective of those in the womb we are called to protect, the almost singular political focus on the biennial budget only perpetuates their deadly victimization. So long as the killing continues, so too must our prophetic voices be raised on behalf of the voiceless. In this critique, I was not alone, since a number of other Catholic pro-lifers voiced these self-same concerns to me. Peggy Hamil noted it is disappointing that the recognition of the preborn child as a person was not included in the talking points for the attendees going over to the capitol to lobby, especially when the language of the Bishops Position Paper regards the preborn child as a person whose life demands our advocacy and the guaranteed protection of that persons right to life under the law. While certainly not every pro-life / pro-family issue can be adequately covered in one day, other legitimate concerns that pro-lifers have which were not considered at this years event may include, but are certainly not limited to, the following: recently de-criminalized over-the-counter sales of abortifacients; specific pro-life bills for the coming legislative session; the Wisconsin Personhood Amendment; de-funding Planned Parenthood; providing post-abortion care to men & women (especially the poor); neonatal hospice care, crisis-pregnancy care; adoption reform; protecting the free-speech rights of pro-lifers; criminalizing all sex-selection abortions; conscience protection for health care workers, pharmacists, and all employees; overturning the 2009 contraceptive mandate in Wisconsin insurance plans; overturning the Emergency Contraception mandate in all hospitals; dire threats from POLST (as excellently stated by our states own Bishops document); immoral standards of practice for some hospices / nursing homes which do not ensure basic care for the vulnerable; legal protection for babies conceived in IVF labs and outlawing IVF along with deadly embryonic research at our state universities; making Planned Parenthood a mandatory reporter of statutory rape and human trafficking; and legally protecting Catholics and people of good conscience in our state from federal mandates such as the notoriously unjust demands set up by the Department of Health and Human Services mandate through Obamacare, .just to name only a few. In the light of all these remarks and concerns, I believe that as Catholics called to defend life, each one of us personally needs to make a serious pro-life examination of conscience from time to time: Are we really responding in charity and justice to the daily cries of the innocent victims? Am I supporting my Bishops efforts to evangelize the Gospel of Life in word and action, and working in prayerful and active solidarity with him? Are we effective and prophetic in our efforts to protect the defenseless? Do we realize the urgency and gravity of the situation? Are we doing all we can within our vocations, and in our own personal and professional lives, to end the killing of babies (born and preborn), halt attacks on motherhood, fatherhood & marriage, as well as the stop assaults on the elderly, sick & disabled, and protect rights of conscience? Am I doing what I can in the social, cultural and political spheres to be a persistent and truthful voice for the victims of the greatest injustices? Do I see Jesus Christ in the person of the innocent victim(s) of the culture of death?

Questions such as these, prayerfully considered before the Blessed Sacrament, are a fitting prelude to active involvement in the WCC day at the capitol, and a necessary examination in fulfilling our personal responsibility to help Christ build the Civilization of Love.

A final point upon which other conference attendees commented was that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass should be offered in conjunction with the event. While prayer is clearly central to the current schedule of the Catholics at the Capitol gathering, the Holy Mass is not yet part of the days formal proceedings. This meaningful addition would not only serve the sacramental and spiritual needs of those participating at the conference; but would also provide the best possible liturgical setting by which our bishops, united together, could lead the faithful to pray for all of the various victims of injustice, the most current social concerns, and all of the public servants in our state. If it be Gods will for such a special Eucharistic celebration, I know many pro-life Catholics who are daily communicants would be most grateful, as it is very difficult for some who are traveling to make it to Mass on this day.

What are you doing to help the Poor?

This was the exact question directly asked to one individual attending Catholics at the Capitol, who works full-time in the pro-life movement. When the response I work to protect the unborn was given, the sharp and impatient reply was: But what are you doing for the poor?! Those working in the pro-life movement are very sensitive to the extreme poverty and rejection of the preborn child in our society, as well as their mothers and fathers, and the post-abortive. The Bishops in their USCCB statement Living the Gospel of Life specifically call the unborn child in danger of abortion the poorest of the poor. (cf. Living the Gospel of Life, 5) Yet, even though it is difficult to imagine a greater poverty than suffering from the deadly (and often coerced) rejection by ones own parents, society, and law, it seems our work is rarely understood as being directly connected to serving the poor, particularly in the minds of those engaged in the good work of reducing material and economic poverty. This omission, again, is a real poverty. Pro-lifers understand that there is a war against life; with thousands dying every day, and thousands of others being wounded. Our work is similar to the single-minded focus of those working on the Underground Railroads of the South during the American Civil War, or in Europe during the Second World War. Would one ask those assisting runaway slaves, or Jews in danger, what they are doing for the poor? Yet, pro-lifers are routinely asked this question, I believe, because there is a disconnect between recognizing the pro-life apostolate as an essential element of living out the teachings of the Churchs Social Magisterium and Her comprehensive work for social justice. From a Catholic and human rights perspective there is no division between pro-life work and social justice work. A true pro-lifer understands that the direct attack on innocent human lives is the greatest social evil in our times, and thus in lifes protectionthe greatest social crusade and civil rights movement! This is also why we can easily respond as pro-lifers to the Bishops other calls to work for justice, e.g., to fight this budget year against predatory rent to own agreements (as in the 2013 Biennial Budget Bill). When we visit the capitol and share this additional and particular concern for justice, we not only give witness to the Churchs strong pro-life/pro-family stand and care for the poor, but it also builds the credibility of the pro-life movement in the secular world, and reveals the Churchs continuity on life/family/social issues. Thus, when the Bishops ask for our help on a related issue, (e.g., stopping predatory lending exploitation), we can easily respond as prolifers, and demonstrate what it means to be Catholic. Similarly, one would also hope that those who are focused in their fight on behalf of materially poor families could just as easily respond to the Bishops call to speak out against all forms of abortion, and demonstrate that such efforts are true social justice work when they boldly hold their elected officials accountable to protect life at all stages, especially before birth. When this happens, the unity of the Church's social teaching and the urgent imperative of the Gospel of Life in protecting those in danger will hopefully sync in the minds of an increasing number of both Catholics and non-Catholics, as well as those working within the capitol and those working without.

Should YOU Attend?!

With all of this said, a fair question might be: Should Catholic pro-lifers spend their time going to this WCC biennial legislative conference? My answer would be an unequivocal yes! I offer five important reasons: 1) You are the voice for the unborn babies and their parents threatened by abortion, and for the elderly, sick, disabled and terminally ill; advocating for them at the state capitol as part of the WCC event is crucial! 2) We must join our Bishops in solidarity and prayer at their conferences event, to show your fidelity to the Catholic Church and Her Shepherds, and to pray and work in this essential dimension of the New Evangelization within the public square. 3) You are living witnesses for the Bishops of the Churchwhile you represent Christs Church in this arena, these Shepherds need to see a committed, informed, and prophetic pro-life laity engaged in defending life at the capitol; and as pro-lifers your participation shows you care about Christs commitment to the least of His brothers, as well as to the Churchs social magisterial teachings on life, and the Bishops own public policy efforts! 4) You are a witness for life to those attending the event who may be involved in other good works, but not familiar with the preferential option for the poorest of the poor preborn in danger of abortion. You can be present to them, listen to them, and share the Gospel of Life with them. (Note: sadly, there are some in attendance at this event from historically abortion-tolerant groups such as Call to Action, as well as some individuals who dissent from Church teaching on life/marriage doctrines, e.g., Humanae Vitae; and unfortunately, I speak of both examples from personal experiences this year.) 5) As prolifers we are called to learn more about all of the social and public policy issues that the Catholic Church is promoting and defending; and to relate all of these coordinated efforts with the Churchs own consistent life ethic, and our specific pro-life work as well. Beyond attending the next Catholics at the Capitol event, what might thoughtful and active Catholic pro-lifers do to promote the New Evangelization in this forum? I would encourage pro-lifers to continue to pray for their bishops and priests, and wherever possible, offer them strong support for their stand and leadership in the defense of life, marriage, the family, and religious liberty. I would also encourage pro-lifers to pray for and interact respectfully with the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, ask questions, write emails, make phone calls, learn about the Bishops public policy agenda, and work together to build coalitions in defense of life. Live out your Baptismal vocation to be a respectful and prophetic voice for Christ. When it comes to initiatives to defend life, charitably ask the Bishops and the WCC to support the policy if the particular initiative meets these three points: (1) respects and recognizes the right to life of each person; (2) promotes and defends the common good; and (3) is in keeping with the natural law. Nobody has a crystal ball to know for certain which political calculus will be correct or which political action will be a success, thus if the previous 3 criteria are met, the norm should be to support any such pro-life initiative, (unless grave and clear circumstantial reasons can be objectively produced). The call and response to defend life is not monolithic, and we must do everything and try everything that is moral, reasonable, and just. Remember, we are not ultimately working for any pro-life organization or group, we are members of Christs Mystical BodyThe Churchand we are called to speak as Jesus Christ would for the sake of the preborn and their families. They are relying on our efforts to protect them. If there are points of concern or apparent disagreements with other Catholics in pro-life efforts, pray and engage with charitymoving prayerfully in a virtuous and authentic search for the truth according to the teachings of the Catholic Church and the natural moral law. We can also contact groups who are publicly faithful to Church teaching, such as Pro-Life Wisconsin, Human Life International, and the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; and learn about their legislative agendas and public policy priorities. One may also wish to study the positions of other state Catholic Conferences. I think it can also be helpful to encourage the Bishops and staff of the WCC to look at successful models of unified pro-life efforts, e.g., the Personhood Amendment initiative in North Dakota, state de-funding of Planned Parenthood, pro-life license plates, etc. As Bishop Christensen stated with regard to our work in the public square, it is all the more true in our interaction with fellow Catholics that our civility should only be outdone by our charitya charity with respect for Christs truth. And of course, we can pray for, email, call, and visit our elected officials anytime and beg God for the grace to be true Catholic advocates for the defense of

all human life and each vulnerable person. We must be the voice of the helpless children in the halls of our government, in our streets, in every source of media, and throughout the entire world.

An Example of the New Evangelization

In closing, I would like to share with you a profound moment from this years event which occurred after Archbishop Listeckis beautiful closing prayer and encouraging words to the attendees leaving to make their visits to the capitol. In the offices of Senator Kathleen Vinehout (with three of her staff members present) I was truly edified to witness the cordial words and pro-life lobbying efforts of Mr. Jeff Heinzen (Office of Marriage and Family Life) and Mr. Christopher Ruff (Office of Ministries and Social Concerns) from the Diocese of La Crosse. Mr. Heinzen embodied the civility, confidence and friendliness spoken of by Bishop Christensen in his keynote address, while discussing the various policy points; and opening the door to assist the senator, by offering to talk and consult on these and any issues for which she has concern. Mr. Ruff, in his turn, was an outstanding prophetic voice for the preborn children. He brought up the grizzly house of horrors abortion facility run by the notorious Kermit Gosnell, and the unspeakable atrocities which occurred there. Christopher then pointed out how what happened there in Philadelphia to newly born babies is not at all different from what is happening in Wisconsineven in Madisonto babies in the womb. He stated how their precious lives, their dignity, and that of their mothers and fathers call to us all to work on their behalf for justice. As I prayed for Christopher, the senator and her staff, one could hear a pin drop. The cries of the babies were being heard at our state capitol, and they seemed to touch the heart and mind of this public servant. This Democrat senator responded soberly to all of this by acknowledging that even one abortion is one too many. Its a good start. Civility, charity and truthcoming together in a witness of the Churchs teaching on the dignity of human life in the public square, while at the service of the most defenseless, and for Gods greater glory. As many Catholics from around the state converged on our capitol with the love and truth of Christ, it was a living testimony to the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI [The Church] has to play her part through rational argument and she has to reawaken the spiritual energy without which justice, which always demands sacrifice, cannot prevail and prosper. (Deus Caritas Est, #26) This is part of the New Evangelization to which we are all calledas pro-lifers, Catholics, and members of the Body of Christ. Let us pray for the efforts of our Bishops, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, and all Catholics; to boldly proclaim the Gospel of Life in all places and at all times, with the love and truth of Jesus Christ triumphant over death.