To the editor:
The introduction of a personhood amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution provides a wonderful opportunity to engage our neighbors in the critical question of how we treat young people in our state.
Many citizens have not been exposed to the joyful message of hope found in the encyclical Humanae Vitae of the Servant of God Pope Paul VI, and do not realize how contraception poisons our culture and even the intimate relationships of spouses.
They may not have considered that the young person, even only seconds old, is beloved of God, and as a little brother or sister of the human family is entitled to our respect and support.
The introduction of the personhood amendment has already promoted helpful public discussion of how widely used contraceptive drugs and devices can end a young person’s life.
Whether the amendment is successful or not, it can be a fruitful inspiration to reflection by Wisconsin’s residents. What kind of a people are we? What kind of people do we want to be?
Although there can be different outlooks on questions of tactics, all our hard-working pro-life advocates can support this sort of examination of conscience.
David R. J. Stiennon, Madison