A fourth problem which I see, is the problem that derives from several decades now of the "seamless garment" doctrine. I have no doubt that there is a linkage between the various pro-life causes, purposes and undertakings, but I think it is time, if not to eliminate, at least to evaluate a little more critically what, if anything, has been accomplished by the promotion of this "seamless garment" doctrine. I think it is plainly incorrect to exaggerate the linkage, let us say, between the opposition to the death penalty and opposition to abortion. There is not a great deal of equivalence between several hundred convicted murderers in the United States, who have had not only a fair trial but many years of judicial appeals, who are defended by lawyers and who also when they are put to death are killed with a lethal injection or a sudden jolt of electricity or some other method that at least is quick if not painless. Comparing those people to millions upon millions of innocent little babies, who, of course, commit no crimes, have no trial, have no defense, are by the very definition utterly and totally innocent, and who are killed not only without appeal, but sometimes in the heinous, gruesome and unspeakable torture, experiencing pain which can be plainly seen in ultra-sound pictures.This is an excerpt of the text of a talk given by Bishop Bruskewitz at a pro-life dinner in 1999. (All emphasis is mine).
Part 1 of this talk is here, part 2 is here.
Remember that Dr. William Borst will be giving a talk on "The Shroud of Bernardin" and the "Seamless Garment" on Feb. 13 (details here).
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