Frustrating the designs of Nature

THE EDITOR: While by no means has it been proved that the human body actually evolved from lower forms of life, there are undoubtedly parallels in its development to that of the bodies of lower mammalian species, especially in the manner of (internal) conception and gestation, birth and the further nurturing of the young.

It is unquestionable that the intimate internal attachment of the young to its mother via the umbilical cord and placenta is a vast advance over eggs that develop externally and independently. In the mammal, Nature has provided the perfect environment for the young: warmth, oxygen, nourishment, benefits of maternal hormones, protection from predators immunity from diseases through the good graces of the maternal immune system, etc. Meanwhile, strong maternal bonds are forged between young and mother, bonds that will prove essential for the future survival of the young. One might say that nowhere can Nature’s provision for the well-being of the young, and consequently the assured future of a species, be more exquisitely seen than in the development of the mammal within the womb of its mother, and in the natural care of the mother for her young after birth. This is obvious to any objective observer. But where human beings are concerned, there is another, and maybe even vastly more important, dimension — LOVE.

As our Catholic religion insists, God has made us in His image, even as He commanded us to increase and multiply. He has made us co-creators with Him, and, in His likeness, we are to exercise that prerogative in the context of Love. For this, God has endowed us with the beautiful and necessary gift of marital and parental love. But it does not require supernatural faith to know that this love comes naturally. Very strong, special bonds of love are forged between the mother and her baby, as soon she knows the baby to exist within her womb. And it is the violent rupture of this bond through induced abortion that leads so many mothers to traumatic depression, self hate, or even despair — conditions well known to the medical fraternity as “post-abortion syndrome.”

ASPIRE’s programme makes it necessary for it to deny the existence of this syndrome, and it makes a desperate, futile effort to do so, flying in the face of all the overwhelming evidence. Oh how hollow ASPIRE’s proclamation that it is motivated by concern for the health of the mother! Frustrating the designs of Nature, it would destroy the bond between mother and baby — no matter how legally they try to do it. It is of no consequent concern of the bay’s — it has been killed. But the mother...! As I said in my last letter, you cannot defy Nature and win. A baby in the womb is in the only place in the world where it can be, but the practice of abortion makes Nature’s intended haven for the baby hazardous to its life. ASPIRE seeks to frustrate the best intentions of Nature, then calls upon Nature to smile on its efforts! And, adding insult to injury, its advocates turn to us and ask us for our support! NO WAY!

FR GERARD E FARFAN
Port-of-Spain