What pro-life requires

The Vatican's ambassador to the United Nations issued a challenge to both liberals and conservatives -- indeed to all of us -- on what it means to be pro-life.

In accepting an award at the National Right to Life Committee's annual Proudly Pro-Life Dinner in New York, Abp. Renato Martino said some Christians who put their religion "on a pedestal for all to see" were displaying "a faith filled with contradictions" in dealing with such issues as military security, tax cuts, capital punishment and abortion.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if liberal civil servants could muster up as much love for unborn children as they do for baby whales or seals or trees?" Abp. Martino asked. "And wouldn't it be great if conservative civil servants realized that Jesus' command to love applies to criminals and refugees as much as it does to middle-class Christians and unborn babies?"

The archbishop said he didn't mean to single out politicians, who are "only catering to their constituents." Throughout the world, he said, "We neglect the poor"; "We are nationalistic"; and "We underwrite health, immigration and labor policies that hurt the most vulnerable."

In other words, being truly pro-life means valuing and protecting all life, from conception through natural death. No exceptions allowed.