Homily at Bernard Nathanson’s funeral Mass

March 02, 2011

Father Gerald Murray, Bernard Nathanson’s parish priest, preached the homily at the funeral Mass for the prominent abortionist who became a deeply influential pro-life advocate.

“I am not exaggerating when I say that Dr. Bernard Nathanson is a towering figure in the history of the United States because he was an unflinching witness on behalf of those millions who have been killed, or are threatened to be killed, by abortion,” Father Murray preached on February 28 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. “He was a witness who spoke out against what he himself had helped to bring about, namely the legalization of abortion in our country, along with his fellow founders of NARAL, the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws. He broke with this evil movement, and repented of his sins.”

“The scream Dr. Nathanson heard was a silent scream,” he added. “A silent scream uttered by an unseen victim; that is, until the ultrasound machine brought the truth of abortion into plain view for this medical doctor who had expended great effort to make this horror legal and widespread in America. That doctor thereafter boldly decided to make the reality of human life in the womb visible for the whole world to see.”

 

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Further information:

• Homily at the Funeral of Bernard N. Nathanson, M.D.
• Bernard Nathanson, abortionist who became pro-life activist, dead at 84 (CWN, 2/21)