[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]March 2, 2015
“Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching
has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an
end or a means, is gravely contrary to moral law.” This statement is taken directly from the Catholic
Catechism. I include it in this message as a reminder to Catholics and others that the Church’s
understanding and teaching on the moral principles and natural law are not new and are consistent with
our ethic of the dignity of every human person.
As a people of faith, and as Americans, we are called to be a voice for the unborn who cannot speak for
themselves. Any law that allows the killing of unborn children has no place in our society. I join my
voice with Pope Francis as he rightfully proclaimed, “In the light of faith and of right reason, human life
is always sacred.”
I am deeply troubled by Planned Parenthood’s San Antonio abortion center, the largest abortion facility
in South Texas, and the building of the Alamo Women’s Reproductive Services facility, as well as any
abortion center built at any time and in any location. This great city, named for St. Anthony, built upon
the legacy of the Old Spanish Missions, and nourished by the faith of her people must not become
known as the abortion center of South Texas. This would be a betrayal of the values that built San
Antonio. I strongly encourage our city leaders to only make exceptions and exemptions in
implementing and interpreting our laws in ways that will strengthen our support for the dignity of all
human life, and the common good. It is their responsibility to preserve the fundamental liberties that
define us, the first of these being the right to life.
I also ask all people who share these values to join me in prayer for those who fight to protect all
human life.
For those who pray before abortion clinics,
who speak out for life,
or who witness to the rights of all human beings:
that God might strengthen and guide them;
We pray to the Lord
For those who long for the equality of all persons,
that their dedication to the unborn, the old, the condemned, and the forgotten,
may grow every day;
We pray to the Lord
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller
For all who work for an end to abortion,
that they might be strengthened by prayer,
and that God might reward them for their goodness;
We pray to the Lord
For all who work for an end to the culture of death,
and especially for our brothers and sisters
from other churches, ecclesial communions, and religions,
that love for the Gospel of Life might draw us closer in Christ;
We pray to the Lord[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]