“Saved” baby was born early! (Plus IVF concerns)

The good, no, the glorious news first: the baby “saved” from abortion during our area’s fall 40 Days for Life campaign, recounted in my February “Sidewalk Stories,” is here!  

The little man, due on Easter Sunday, ended up arriving early on March 5. Despite his premature state and some health complications—which were anticipated—at last report he was doing better than expected, surprising the doctors. 

A local woman with a connection to this story has shared that God is coming into the lives of his mother and sister in a really beautiful way. Aware of the prayers of people from afar, including ours, she has turned her life in a more positive direction, and is fully intent on being the best mother possible.  

If you want to get in touch with her to offer support and encouragement or send a card or gift, email me at [email protected]. Most of all, thank you for your continued prayers for this young family! Gazing on a photo of this wee babe clasping his mama’s finger, I have shuddered to think he was almost aborted, twice, and have simply been in awe of the power of love. 

I wish I could fill this whole column with news of new babies and saves, but honestly, it’s been a bit of a dry time at the abortion facility in Moorhead. We are so constricted in so many ways, but we know that God isn’t, and so we keep returning with hope in our hearts.  

Speaking of hope (OK, there is more good news), the Women’s Care Center construction just feet away is coming along well. The beautiful pink exterior seems to be saying, “Just wait. Good things are coming!” We are trusting that God is about to bring a game-changing reality into this dank corner of our streets. 

And now for the bad news. Third-party reproduction, including invitro fertilization (IVF), is making headlines lately, with Pres. Trump having made good on his promise to increase governmental support for this practice. Do not be fooled, dear pro-life friends. The Church’s stance on IVF is the right one, and if you don’t understand it, avail yourself to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (see section headed, “The gift of a child,” starting at #2373) and other resources, such as the National Catholic Bioethics Center.  

Did you know that more children are discarded daily in our country by IVF than by abortion? And that just as many are temporarily or permanently frozen or used for research?  

We likely all know someone who was conceived by IVF, and if we don’t, we will soon. This conversation isn’t about the value of those who already exist. The Church has not budged on its firm premise that every human being, no matter conception details, is made in the image and likeness of God. But she’s equally clear that we cannot separate the procreative and unitive aspects of the marital embrace without bringing harm.  

The harm has been, until recently, a mostly quiet current flowing underneath the surface of a wildly unregulated industry that profits off the heartache of couples experiencing infertility. But as stories of the devastating effects of IVF begin to unfold, as they are bound to now, it’s imperative we become informed.  

We must always look at the means, and the means of IVF are not licit. Licit ways to address the real devastation of infertility are being explored and effectively used to help couples by such entities as the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Neb. Check them out and spread the word! 

We must find a way to charitably communicate the truths of the reproductive technologies that contradict God’s plan to those within our spheres of influence, including those we love.  

I’ve written a column about IVF for The Forum newspaper, and also, interviewed Tim Mosser, director of the diocese’s Respect Life Office, for the March 21 episode of my “Matters of Soul Importance” podcast. You might appreciate Tim’s insight on third-party reproduction, based on Pope John Paul II’s teaching on sexuality, Theology of the Body.  

We’ve hidden from the ills of these illicit procedures and practices for too long. If we’re going to call ourselves pro-life, we need to come to terms with the fact that IVF, no matter the beautiful results at times, is part of the next big battle to fight in the pro-life movement.  

Borrowing from words attributed to St. Bernadette Soubirous, it is my job to inform, not to convince. But in this case, as I address fellow Catholics and Christians, I aim for both.