We Cannot Assume Malice

“Woe to you . . . you hypocrites.” // Matthew 23:23

Some hypocrisy is born of sheer malice—and some from ignorance and stupidity.

On the day that Roe v. Wade was overturned, I harkened back to my younger years, very young, easily impressionable years when I was sheepish to be pro-life. I felt embarrassed by pro-life rhetoricians who always seemed a little weird to me, too pious or inauthentic.

Thankfully, the Lord educated me, catechized me, and so thoroughly that years later I would teach a course at the university level for more than a decade, in which such topics were examined from every angle, most especially from the viewpoint of Mother Church.

Now, a young man I know very well and pray for every day has fallen away from the Church in a radical way. He is wildly pro-choice. Of course, I know some things he doesn’t, mainly, the back story: when his mother was pregnant with him, she considered abortion. She couldn’t imagine another child at that time in her life. To her husband, abortion was unthinkable. “This is our flesh and blood!” he said. The woman went on to give birth and let’s just say, that boy’s life has been a unique gift to his family, especially his mother, and many others. I am confident that God has a plan for him, a rescue mission in store.

I could write to him and say, “You hypocrite! Your mother wanted to abort you, but here you are. How does that feel? To know your life might have been arbitrarily snuffed out because you were going to be a lot of work?”

But that is to assume that his hypocrisy flows from malice. I don’t think that’s true. More so, I believe he has not been well catechized. Perhaps he does not know of vows like those of the Missionaries of Charity, who will accept any child left on their doorstep without question, to raise and educate.

When we reach out to others on this sensitive, critically important topic, let’s assume ignorance first, and like the MCs, make our lives a credible witness to Church teaching on life.

Let's make our lives a credible witness to Church teaching on life. // Liz KellyClick to tweet

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About Liz Kelly Stanchina

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Liz Kelly Stanchina is a jazz singer who met Jesus in late-night adoration. She is the community leader for women’s formation at the Word on Fire Institute and the author of more than a dozen award-winning books, including Anchored by Hope, Meditations to Calm the Anxious Soul, Jesus Approaches, Love Like a Saint, and A Thrill of Hope. Her take home retreat for Jesus Approaches has been called “a spa for the soul.” She holds advanced degrees in creative writing and Catholic studies. She is trained as a spiritual director, leading retreats and speaking around the world with a particular focus on helping women to flourish in their faith. Visit her website at LizK.org. Her widely read column, Your Heart, His Home, is available on Substack.