EWTN News reports that Auxiliary Bishop Francisco Javier Acero of the Primatial Archdiocese of Mexico has encouraged participation in the April 25 March for Life in Mexico City, emphasizing the need to “care for life, to love it, and, above all, to protect the most vulnerable.” The march, organized by the Steps for Life platform, commemorates the 2007 decriminalization of abortion in Mexico City and attracts tens of thousands. The Archdiocese’s editorial in Desde la Fe affirmed the inherent dignity of the human being from fertilization, condemned abortion, euthanasia, and suicide as “scourges,” and warned against trivializing life, linking it to societal evils like human trafficking. The editorial also stated, “We do not judge those who resort to any of these measures,” while simultaneously asserting that these issues cannot be presented as solutions or rights.
The Inherent Dignity of Human Life: A Non-Negotiable Truth
The affirmation by the Archdiocese of Mexico that “the human being possesses inherent dignity simply by existing, regardless of its circumstances: from the moment life begins at fertilization, throughout all stages of life, and until death” is a foundational principle of Catholic anthropology, rooted in the natural law and divine revelation. This truth, consistently upheld by the Church, recognizes that human life is a sacred gift from God, not a concession from the state or a product of human will. The Catechism of the Council of Trent, for instance, unequivocally states that “the life of the innocent is not to be taken away,” a principle that extends to the unborn. The condemnation of abortion as a “scourge” aligns with the Church’s perennial teaching, articulated in documents like Pope Pius IX’s Apostolicae Sedis (1869), which imposed excommunication for procured abortion. The call to protect the most vulnerable, especially the unborn, is a direct application of the Church’s social doctrine, which places the defense of life at the forefront of its mission.
The Peril of Moral Relativism: “We Do Not Judge” and the Erosion of Truth
While the intention behind the statement “We do not judge those who resort to any of these measures” may be to avoid harshness or to encourage dialogue, it inadvertently introduces a dangerous ambiguity that undermines the clarity of Catholic moral teaching. The Church, while always compassionate towards sinners, can never refrain from judging actions that are intrinsically evil. As Pope Pius XI unequivocally declared in his encyclical Quas Primas (1925), Christ is King, and His law demands obedience, not subjective interpretation. To say “we do not judge” in the face of abortion, euthanasia, and suicide, which are grave offenses against God’s law, risks conveying a message of moral indifference or, worse, a tacit acceptance of these evils. The Church’s role is to proclaim the truth, even when it is unpopular, and to call sinners to conversion, not to soften the condemnation of their actions. This approach, while perhaps well-intentioned, can lead to a “trivializing of the importance of life,” as the editorial itself warns, by failing to unequivocally condemn the acts themselves. The Church must always distinguish between the sinner, who is to be loved and prayed for, and the sin, which is to be condemned and rejected.
The State’s Duty to Uphold God’s Law: Beyond “Rights” and “Solutions”
The editorial’s assertion that abortion, euthanasia, and suicide “cannot be presented as solutions, nor as rights” is a crucial point that highlights the state’s obligation to recognize and uphold the natural law. The modern concept of “rights” often divorces itself from divine law, leading to the legitimization of intrinsic evils. Pope Leo XIII, in his encyclical Immortale Dei (1885), clearly articulated that the state is not the source of rights but is bound by the divine law. To grant a “right” to take an innocent life is a perversion of justice and a direct rebellion against the Creator. The state’s role is to protect life, not to facilitate its destruction. The call for the state to recognize the unborn’s right to life is a call for the public reign of Christ the King, as advocated by Pius XI in Quas Primas, where all authority, including that of the state, is subject to God’s commandments. The failure of the state to protect the most vulnerable is a sign of its apostasy from its divine mandate.
The Link Between Abortion and Societal Decay: A Prophetic Warning
The editorial’s insightful observation that “trivializing the importance of life contaminates society, making it easier to attack life and dignity through actions such as human trafficking, which constitutes the new slavery, as well as kidnapping and murder” is a profound truth that echoes the Church’s social teaching. When a society loses respect for the sanctity of life in its most vulnerable stages, it inevitably descends into a culture of death where all human dignity is at risk. This is a direct consequence of rejecting God’s law and embracing a secular, humanistic worldview that places individual autonomy above the common good and divine commandments. The Church has consistently warned that the acceptance of abortion leads to a coarsening of morals and a disregard for human life in all its forms. This prophetic warning underscores the urgency of the pro-life movement, not merely as a political stance, but as a spiritual battle for the soul of humanity.
The Call to Courage and Service: Mary as Model
The editorial’s concluding exhortation to entrust new generations to Mary Most Holy, so that her “yes” to God and to life may imbue them with courage and love, is a powerful spiritual reminder. In a world that often celebrates self-gratification and moral relativism, the Blessed Virgin Mary stands as the ultimate model of obedience to God’s will and unwavering defense of life. Her fiat was an act of profound courage and trust, and her intercession is essential for all who seek to defend the innocent. The call for service to the most vulnerable is a direct application of the Gospel’s mandate to love one’s neighbor, especially the least among us. This spiritual dimension is crucial, as the battle for life is ultimately a spiritual one, requiring prayer, sacrifice, and a deep reliance on divine grace.
The Urgency of Uncompromising Witness
While the March for Life in Mexico City is a commendable public witness, the Church’s defense of life must extend beyond annual marches. It requires an uncompromising proclamation of the truth, even when it is unpopular or inconvenient. The Church must unequivocally condemn abortion, euthanasia, and suicide as intrinsic evils, without resorting to ambiguous language that might soften their gravity. The state must be called to fulfill its divine mandate to protect all human life, from conception to natural death. The faithful must be formed in an understanding of the natural law and the Church’s social doctrine, recognizing that true freedom lies in obedience to God’s commandments, not in the pursuit of individual “rights” that contradict His will. The battle for life is a battle for the very foundations of a just and moral society, and it demands the full courage and conviction of all who profess the Catholic faith.
Source:
Mexican bishop encourages participation in April 25 March for Life in Mexico City (ewtnnews.com)
Date: 22.04.2026