I cannot stress enough that those who participated in this ad campaign are willingly engaged in actively undermining one of the most consistent teachings of the Catholic Church, which is that life is a gift from God that must be protected and cared for at every stage.

Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for Choice, and all of those participating in this campaign are doing grave harm to the Body of Christ.

Let us also remember that in the state of Colorado, we are facing a tough battle this November against Proposition 106, a ballot initiative that would legalize Physician-Assisted Suicide. In the name of compassion, proponents of this bill would like to legalize suicide for those who are the most vulnerable among us—our terminally ill, our developmentally disabled, and our elderly. Instead of promoting death, our state should be truly compassionate by improving the availability and quality of palliative and hospice care.

On this Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, let us raise up a prayer to Our Lady, asking her intercession to help us defend the gift of life at all stages. In this Year of Mercy, let us talk with our brothers and sisters about real mercy and compassion, which seeks to help those in need, giving them aid and support so that they are able to live through difficulties, and not to simply throw them away. And let us continue to actively work to protect every life, no matter its condition. Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for Us!