Bishop links protection of unborn, environment
November 08, 2011
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Addressing an interfaith conference on air pollution, the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development linked respect for the life of the unborn with concern for the environment.
“It is hard to imagine a situation that so clearly illustrates this link between the environment and life issues as the impact of mercury and other toxic air pollution on children’s health,” said Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton. “Children, inside and outside the womb, are uniquely vulnerable to environmental hazards and exposure to toxic pollutants in the environment.”
“We would not subscribe to the thinking of those who define human beings solely in terms of coming from nature, beholden to nature as if nature or the earth were some kind of a god to which humankind is responsible,” he added. “While indeed man is described in Gen 2:7 as coming out of the dust of the ground, it is God who ‘formed the man…and blew into his nostrils the breath of life.’ Genesis clearly teaches the responsibility of man and woman to God their Creator.”
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Further information:
- Bishop Blaire Cites Importance of Good Environmental Stewardship, Clean Air in Address to Interfaith Gathering (USCCB)
- Full text (USCCB)
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Posted by: lynnvinc7142 -
Nov. 16, 2011 8:11 PM ET USA
This is true, such pollution from driving our cars & using coal-powered electricity, etc does cause abortions (what some call miscarriages). While it is surely a greater sin to have a medical abortion, it is surely also a sin at some level to cause abortions through out pollution. We can deny it the way abortion women deny they are aborting human life, claiming it is only some plasma. But denial doesn't get us off the hook, just as it didn't get Cain off the hook.
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Posted by: unum -
Nov. 09, 2011 9:25 AM ET USA
In principle the Bishop has a valid point about the "seamless garment" of respect for life and environmental factors. But, I'd have to see a little more supporting detail about “Children, inside ... the womb, are uniquely vulnerable to environmental hazards and exposure to toxic pollutants in the environment.” I'm not sure what his point is regarding the unborn and toxic pollutants compared to the risks from Planned Parenthood.
