16 January 1997
The Pious Pastors of the Holy Diocese of Denver
Beloved in the Lord,
As we reflect on the political debate in this country concerning the abortion issue that has continued for almost three decades, we must sadly acknowledge that it has caused increasing division and polarization among our fellow citizens.
One of the great ironies of history is that many of our forefathers came to this country fleeing persecution and the threat of death, seeking to establish a better life for themselves and their children in this land of promise. Now, their own unborn offspring face the threat of death as one out of every three pregnancies in America ends in the murder of abortion.
There is no question about when life begins
; even secular
biologists tell us that life begins when a viable organism is formed at
the conjoining of chromosomes from the parents. In this same regard,
the Christian writer Tertullian—writing in the second century long
before the advent of modern science—noted that:
"Prevention of birth is precipitation of murder; it does not matter whether one takes away a life when formed or drives it away while forming. He also is a man who is about to be one. Even every fruit already exists in its seed."
We know that all human life, which includes the life of the unborn, has its origin and its existence in God. Concerning this, Saint Gregory of Nyssa wrote in the fourth century:
"One and the same principle of life enlivens the new organism from the first moment of its individual existence. Instead, then, of the organism developing life, it is the vital principle of life that builds up the organism."
Indeed, God is the Author and Principle of Life, and all life should thus be sealed with holiness and must be protected and nurtured.
The Orthodox Church has a sacred obligation to bear witness to this truth, and to convey this truth with a strong and compassionate voice to all who would perceive the termination of life as a "choice" that rests solely in the hands of the "individual." Consequently we as Orthodox Christians in America must speak clearly and with conviction that all human life belongs to God, and that life created in God's image is called to seek His likeness.
At the same time that we proclaim and affirm this saving truth, however, we must never allow the discernment and judgment of the Church to erect a dividing wall of hard-heartedness among people. We must not use the words of Truth to drive away those who have suffered, and continue to agonize, over their decision to end a human life through abortion. Unless the words we speak are rooted in God's love, they risk losing their integrity and their power to console and to heal.
As we approach the twenty-fourth anniversary of the legal but immoral decision in America that allowed abortions to be performed, let us emphasize that the value of life cannot be depreciated by human choice. Human life maintains its worth in the very being of the Holy Trinity from where it originates and before Whose glory it is called to dwell for all eternity.
With Paternal Blessings,
+ Bishop Isaiah of Denver