By Mary-Louise Kurey

As his term ended, Gov. George Ryan commuted the death sentences of more than 160 inmates on Death Row to life in prison without parole. Today, we join many in commending Ryan’s decision. We just wish that his actions had been as merciful on other, less politically-correct issues of life and death.

“We nearly killed innocent people,” Ryan said, referring to four other men on Death Row whom he pardoned.

But unfortunately, we have killed innocent people. Specifically, more than 160,000 innocent people have been killed in Illinois during Ryan’s four-year term.

Modern technology—ultrasound, microscopy and other forms of medical imaging—allows us to now see that the life inside the womb is indeed a person. Only the most fanatical have the audacity to continue insisting that the pre-born baby is merely a blob of tissue.

In the face of this compelling scientific evidence, reasonable people are forced to pause and consider how abortion-on-demand continues to be legal in our supposedly civilized society.

Ryan’s decision illustrates the absurdity of our culture. While he and many others are rightly concerned about the lives of 167 convicted felons, they too often flagrantly dismiss the deaths of more than 160,000 innocent unborn people.

Indeed, capital punishment is a barbaric practice. Abortion is equally horrific because it ends the life of an innocent human being. No reason can be adequate for such an act of violence against another person, as illustrated by those who oppose capital punishment. Mother Teresa stated, “It is a poverty that a child must die so that we may live as we wish.”

The position of the Catholic Church on abortion and capital punishment is based on its fundamental belief that every human life is precious, because each person is made in the image and likeness of God. The Second Vatican Council expressed this in its statement, “By his incarnation the Son of God has united himself in some fashion with every human being.” This explains the incomparable value of a human life from conception to natural death—even the life of a murderer or rapist, or a life that was conceived in rape.

Pope John Paul II’s encyclical “Evangelium Vitae” (“The Gospel of Life”) speaks eloquently of this consistent life ethic, stating that human life is “a sacred reality entrusted to us, to be preserved with a sense of responsibility. ...”

As Catholics, we must not allow politics to replace our faith by valuing human life in some forms but not others. Rather, to embrace a consistent ethic of life is not only the most morally and philosophically sound perspective, but the best way to foster justice and love in a world of strife.

Ryan described himself as “personally pro-life,” and yet during his term of service did nothing significant to protect the unborn.

We thank Gov. Ryan for his decision on capital punishment. We just wish he had been as compassionate about protecting the innocent others put to death during his watch.

 

Kurey is director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Respect Life Office.

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