Words of Truth and Courage
By Editor
Words of Truth and Courage.—In referring to the destruction of unborn children Cardinal Gibbons has said: The religion of Christ sets her face against ante-natal as well as postnatal infanticide. She denounces such a crime as the murder of the innocent, whether it is committed by the mother to hide her shame, and to escape the cares and responsibilities of motherhood, or committed by one who prostitutes the noble profession of physician for his own selfish ends. She regards such a homicide more unjustifiable than the murder of a man in mortal combat, because the innocent victim can not defend himself. Wo to the country and state which systematically encourages childless families. It is a land without joy, bereft of the dews of heavenly benediction. Happy is the land which fosters the growth of children. The royal psalmist thus addresses the God-fearing man, surrounded by a wife and little ones: "Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house; thy children like olive plants round about thy table." Yet we can not help feeling that the doctrine of celibacy taught by that church, of which the cardinal is a conspicuous star, has not in any way helped the matter. Yet apart from all this the people of this country may well take home to heart the solemn facts to which he has given utterance.