Originally covered by the Washington Examiner here.
There is a famous line from the movie A Man For All Seasons in which St. Thomas More poses a question to his friend Richard, who betrayed him to King Henry VIII. Thomas asks him, “It profits a man nothing to gain the whole world if he should lose his soul … but for Wales, Richard?”
This line came to my mind amid the spectacle of self-professed Catholics, especially among our country’s leaders, supporting abortion. Both President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) regularly attend Catholic Mass. Yet they have participated in what Pope Francis rightly calls “incoherent” activity by supporting the senseless murder of unborn children. They are jeopardizing their eternal souls for a few years of power.
Biden and Pelosi have reiterated their support for abortion following the Supreme Court’s June 24 decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Instead of allowing this matter to be returned to the states, the president and speaker have proposed completely federal control over abortion, above and beyond the evil allowed even by Roe.
At the same time, both readily pursue the sacrament of Holy Communion, although some courageous bishops have denied them access. Pelosi actually flew to Rome on the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, attended Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, and received Holy Communion. Thankfully, her true spiritual leader, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, has been perfectly clear she is not to receive Holy Communion until she stops promoting abortion. The Catechism of the Catholic Church cites clearly that participating in abortion is a mortal sin, potentially barring such a person from eternal salvation.
I fear and pray for the souls of Biden and Pelosi. And I’m confident their support of abortion will prove fruitless. In a few short years, a decade at most, I believe abortion will be limited in all 50 states. Things such as ultrasounds and scientific progress, including DNA, will help convince the rising generation of the humanity of unborn children. And the overwhelming majority of voters already support ending third-trimester abortions and even rolling back abortion to 15 weeks or less. The American people are a pro-life people.
The public positions of the president, the speaker of the House, and many other political leaders will become increasingly unpopular as time unfolds and the culture matures to one of life. Just look at what happened to a similar evil — that of segregation. In 1954, the Supreme Court declared that “separate but equal” was unconstitutional. Many people, and many politicians, quickly opposed this just ruling and all civil rights for black people. Yet within a decade, thanks to the work of leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., segregation was a thing of the past, and civil rights had won the day.
The country is about to go under a similar transition post-Roe v. Wade. Statutes will be passed by legislatures in at least 24 states that will restrict abortion from fertilization, heartbeat, or various times. But it won’t stop there. Abortion will eventually be limited in even the most liberal states.
In the meantime, however, many politicians will continue to sell their souls in the name of political power — “but for Wales.” Sadly, that includes self-professed Catholics. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Biden and Pelosi: Please stop being complicit with abortion. Please confess to a priest and protect your own soul. It is not too late. God’s mercy is infinite. But your time in this world is not.
Tim Busch is the founder of the Napa Institute.
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