Bishop Finn: In the Struggle for the Right to Life - We are at War.

Bishop Robert W. Finn didn't hesitate to use powerful images to get his message across at the second annual Gospel of Life Convention in Overland Park, Kansas.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - "We are at war." With those words, Bishop Robert W. Finn began his keynote address for the 2009 Gospel of Life Convention on April 18, 2009 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kansas. For the second year in a row, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph held a joint conference focused on the issues of life.

With all the focus currently being place on the various battlegrounds in the current culture of death, the bishop wanted to be sure that the attendees understood clearly that there was a bigger story.

"We are at war," Bishop Finn stated. "Harsh as this may sound it is true - but it is not new. This war to which I refer did not begin in just the last several months, although new battles are underway - and they bring an intensity and urgency to our efforts that may rival any time in the past.

The war Bishop Finn was talking about is primarily the spiritual war in which we, in the Church Militant, are engaged while here on earth. Our arch-enemy, Satan, is, as St. Peter declared in Holy Scripture, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8)

The bishop went on, "We are engaged in a constant warfare with Satan, with the glamour of evil, and the lure of false truths and empty promises. If we fail to realize how constantly these forces work against us, we are more likely to fall, and even chance forfeiting God's gift of eternal life.

"But we are the Church on Earth - The Church Militant. We are engaged in a constant warfare with Satan, with the glamour of evil, and the lure of false truths and empty promises. If we fail to realize how constantly these forces work against us, we are more likely to fall, and even chance forfeiting God's gift of eternal life."

The bishop went on affirm that the events we are experiencing are real and a part of the plan the evil one has for destroying life. Those who have become enemies of Christ and His Church can be found within and outside her walls.

"There are people who make themselves the public enemies of the Church," the bishop declared. "They openly attack belief in Christ, or the Church's right to exist. Quite honestly such groups or individuals are less prevalent than they might have been in prior moments of history. In some ways they are not the most dangerous opponents in our spiritual warfare, because they show themselves and their intentions more forthrightly.

"The more dangerous 'human enemies' in our battle are those, who in this age of pluralism and political propriety seek ways to convince us of their sincerity and good will. With malice or with ignorance, or perhaps with an intention of advancing some other personal goal, they are willing to undermine and push aside the values and the institutions that stand in their way.

"They may propose 'tolerance' and seem to have a 'live and let live' approach to all human choices - even if the choice is not to 'let live,' but actually to 'let die,' or 'let life be destroyed.' These more subtle enemies are of all backgrounds. They may be atheists or agnostics, or of any religion, including Christian or Catholic.

This dissension in our own ranks should not surprise us because we all experience some dissension against God's law of love within our own heart. But the 'battle between believers,' who claim a certain 'common ground' with us, while at the same time, they attack the most fundamental tenets of the Church's teachings, or disavow the natural law - this opposition is one of the most discouraging, confusing, and dangerous."

The bishop was quite candid in his opinion regarding the deliberations by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops about politicians and communion. He also addressed the current situation at Notre Dame, where he weighed in strongly against the decision by the University.

He stated, "...it doesn't take another Bishops' Conference statement to know this is wrong: scandalous, discouraging and confusing to many Catholics.

"God knows what all motivates such a decision. I suspect that, since Notre Dame will need a scapegoat for this debacle, and Fr. Jenkins will probably lose his job, at this point perhaps he ought to determine to lose it for doing something right instead of something wrong.

"He ought to disinvite the President, who I believe would graciously accept the decision. Notre Dame, instead, ought to give the honorary degree to Bishop John D'Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, who has supported and tried to guide the University, despite their too frequent waywardness, faithfully for 25 years."

The major focus of the bishop's address was human life, our principal battle.

"The battle we face for the salvation of our souls is the most important one we face - bar none. Where I spend all eternity; where you spend eternity - in bliss or in damnation - is important beyond any individual choice I make. But the individual human choices I make - even one grave choice in which we remain unrepentant - can determine the direction of my salvation.

"To deliberately destroy a human person, and without any justification of self-defense, is to preempt without an equal and sufficient cause, the right to life bestowed by God alone. Life is a gift which we have from God, not from man. This right cannot be taken away by means of a human law. It ought to be protected and assured by human law.

"In his encyclical 'Evangelium Vitae,' on the Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II said that we must oppose the culture of death, and he said we must construct a civilization of life and love. So, we must defend the right to life, but even beyond that we must take action for the promotion of what is good. We must build a civilization that proclaims the Gospel of Life.

"It is not enough for us to defend against the assaults of Satan. It is not enough for us even to defend innocent human life. Of course, if we fail to do this, we fail in our most urgent task. But by good deeds of love and charity, we must build this active culture of life that is ready and capable of turning back hell itself.

"If we won't put the abortionist out of business we are pitiable souls. If we don't enact laws and work tirelessly to change human hearts so that life is forever reverenced and protected, we have not fought the good fight which is our charge as the Church Militant. As warriors we must first beat back the enemy. But then let us not forget that we are warriors for the victory of life!"

In his challenge to those in attendance, Bishop Finn reminded them that this war cannot be waged without the proper weapons of spiritual warfare.

"First: Unless we are living in God's life we should not go near this battle. I don't care if you are the strongest and most brilliant and clever person on the planet. The devil - as he has shown over and over again - will turn you inside out. If you are not fortified by the sacraments - frequent confession and worthy Holy Communion - you cannot succeed in an ultimately supernatural battle. We must live - no longer ourselves - but Christ in us. Be always in the state of grace.

"Pray. Be a prayer warrior. One modern day saint said when you are going out to try to change someone's heart determine to make your effort 80 % prayer and 20% words or actions. Prayer defeats the devil. Prayer aligns us with Christ. Pray for the abortionist. Pray for the legislator. Pray for the mother (and father and other family members). Pray for the child in the womb. Pray for yourself and allow God to guide you. Pray that you will be a warrior of faithfulness and love and mercy. Remember that God often chooses the foolish to shame those who are clever.

"Use the symbols and instruments of our devotion. Arm yourself with the rosary. Protect yourself with the scapular or a blessed medal. Ask for a blessing as a sign of unity in the Church in what we do: unity with the Holy Father, with your bishop, with your pastor. What I am supposed to do as bishop (teach and lead, and sanctify) I must, in turn, delegate in proper measure to my pastors. They, in turn, need you as soldiers.

"Don't worry very much about numbers. If you read the accounts of the Old Testament battles, over and over again God used a tiny misfit army to overthrow a legion 1000 times its size. In this way it is so much clearer that God is fighting the battle. We are only His instruments."

The bishop ended his address by giving his hearers a realistic view of the future. He brought home strongly that those who advocate the culture of life will do so at a cost.

"What will happen to us if we take up this war in faithfulness? Do you really want to know? You will be hated by some powerful people. You may be rejected by those whose approval you most desire. You will be loved and supported by some and this will be a wonderful encouragement. You will be misunderstood by many - and this can be very painful. After you have suffered a little in your battle, some will tell you that you have done nothing - or that you have done it the wrong way.

"Yes, if you push - others will 'push back.' We should always be very careful to obey the law. But, regardless, some will threaten you with legal action, and law suits cost money and you may suffer that difficult hardship. In the end, dear friends, if we err let it be on the side of life. Life! 4000 human lives a day!

"What if I suffer greatly trying to change this tragic trajectory - through prayerful, legal, peaceful means? It is in God's hands, and you and I are warriors for the victory of life. The stakes in terms of human life are high. The stakes in terms of human souls are even higher."

Bishop Robert W. Finn has always been a champion of life. He currently serves as Chairman of the Bishop's Task Force on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, he studied for the priesthood at archdiocesan seminaries and in Rome. He has a B.A. in Philosophy from Cardinal Glennon College and a Master's in Theology from Angelicum University while at the North American College in Rome.

He was named Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph, by Pope John Paul II in March of 2004. His ordination to the episcopacy was May 3, 2004, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Kansas City, Missouri.

On May 24, 2005 the Vatican accepted Bishop Boland's request for retirement. As Coadjutor, Bishop Finn automatically succeeded him as sixth bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph.

For a complete text of the bishop's address, you can find it at:

http://catholickey.blogspot.com/2009/04/we-are-at-war-bishop-finns-gospel-of.html.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online. He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church. He has been engaged in the Pro-Life struggle for decades.

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