Since the establishment of the Florida Catholic Conference in 1969, the right to life of the unborn child has been one of its primary concerns. Each diocese has a pro-life or respect life committee, dedicated to changing the attitudes and public policy concerning the unborn in our society and in alleviating the conditions which cause pregnant women, their families, friends and loved ones to resort to this dire solution to their problems. However, the right to life of the unborn child is not a Catholic issue. We are encouraged by the many interfaith activities and non-sectarian activities which have been undertaken to help women with problem pregnancies and to change public attitudes and public policy concerning abortion. The nuclear arms race, hunger and poverty in our own country and in foreign lands offend this ethic.
Abortion violates two central tenets of the Christian moral vision.
It is a direct attack on innocent life. It is also a failure to observe the command that we love those who are the least among us. We thus renew our commitment to the right to life of the unborn child. We call on all Catholics, all institutions of the church and all people of goodwill to join with us in this effort to restore and develop a consistent ethic of life, one that supports the life of the unborn and of all who are vulnerable in our society.