Help pro-life heroes expose the truth about abortion: LifeFunder
(LifeSiteNews) – A Catholic priest and pro-life activist has released his first public statement since he was imprisoned a month ago for participating in a Red Rose Rescue last year.
“The value we place on something is measured by what we are willing to sacrifice in order to save and protect it,” Fr. Fidelis Moscinski wrote in a letter circulated today. “Our Lord Jesus Christ values and loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice everything on the Cross for our salvation.” (Entire statement below.)
“The fundamental challenge of the pro-life movement has always been to convince our society of the intrinsic value and dignity of our unborn brothers and sisters,” he continued. “But words alone cannot convince. Only loving, sacrificial, Christ-like actions will convince those who are trapped in the mindset of the Culture of Death. Only when we are freely and generously ready to give up our possessions, money, careers, freedom and even life itself will we fully show the true value of the lives of these children.”
Fr. Fidelis, Matthew Connolly, and William Goodman were sentenced to three months in jail following a rescue effort at an abortion facility during which they counseled women to choose life for their preborn children.
In his letter, Fr. Fidelis emphasized that pro-life work is pushed aside by society if it is merely “eloquent words and lofty rhetoric in defense of human life in the womb.” Rather, it must be “accompanied by our concrete, generous, and persevering sacrifices.”
The priest shared details of his participation in the November 2021 Red Rose Rescue that took place in an abortion business in White Plains, New York.
“We had peacefully entered an abortion facility intending to persuade mothers seeking abortion to choose life instead for themselves and their children,” he wrote. “We offered them red roses and information where they could receive help in a crisis pregnancy. After we were told by the police to leave, we opted to remain at the killing center in an act of prayerful solidarity with the children who were scheduled to be killed that day.”
Fr. Fidelis also shared that he and his companions testified in court that their “actions were both necessary and justified given the imminent murders about to be committed. We were responding in obedience to the Biblical command: ‘Rescue those who are being led to slaughter, and those that are drawn to death forbear not to deliver’ (Proverbs 24:11).”
He thanked those who have been supporting the three activists during their time in prison, saying, “We are immensely grateful for all the heartfelt prayers, many letters and words of encouragement.”
Prior to the November 2021 event, Fr. Fidelis participated in Red Rose Rescues throughout the country. He was arrested in Ohio in June 2021 and in New Jersey in January 2020 ,also for encouraging women to choose life.
A Red Rose Rescue is an act of defiance against the cruelty of abortion. Rescuers like Fr. Fidelis enter abortion facilities and strive to convince mothers to give birth to their babies instead of killing them. Red roses are usually offered as a sign of love, accompanying information on pro-life options for crisis pregnancies.
A Word of Thanks and an Exhortation from Fr. Fidelis Moscincki, CFR
On August 2nd William Goodman, Matthew Connolly and I were sentenced to 90 days incarceration by Judge John Collins for our participation in a Red Rose Rescue in White Plains, NY last year.
We had peacefully entered an abortion facility intending to persuade mothers seeking abortion to choose life instead for themselves and their children. We offered them red roses and information where they could receive help in a crisis pregnancy. After we were told by the police to leave we opted to remain at the killing center in an act of prayerful solidarity with the children who were scheduled to be killed there that day.
Throughout the subsequent court proceedings, we emphasized the grave injustice of abortion and that our actions were both necessary and justified given the imminent murders about to be committed. We were responding in obedience to the Biblical command: “Rescue those who are being led to slaughter, and those that are drawn to death forbear not to deliver” (Proverbs 24:11).
During the period of our imprisonment we have received much support from our friends in the pro-life movement. We are immensely grateful for all the heartfelt prayers, many letters and words of encouragement. On behalf of myself, Will, and Matthew: Thank you!
“You had compassion on them that were in bonds” (Hebrews 10:34).
“You were not redeemed with corruptible things as gold or silver…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled” (1 Peter 1:18 – 19).
The value we place on something is measured by what we are willing to sacrifice in order to save and protect it. Our Lord Jesus Christ values and loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice everything on the Cross for our salvation.
The fundamental challenge of the pro-life movement has always been to convince our society of the intrinsic value and dignity of our unborn brothers and sisters. But words alone cannot convince. Only loving, sacrificial, Christ-like actions will convince those who are trapped in the mindset of the Culture of Death. Only when we are freely and generously ready to give up our possessions, money, careers, freedom, and even life itself will we fully show the true value of the lives of these children. This means a willingness to absorb personally some measure of the injustice which is daily inflicted on the children. Does not true Christian solidarity urgently require this kind of witness?
The Culture of Death hears the eloquent words and lofty rhetoric in defense of human life in the womb as false and hollow when these words are not accompanied by our concrete, generous, and persevering sacrifices. Our willingness to sacrifice is the measure of our love. And the standard of love by which we will be judged is: “Love one another as I have loved you” — that is, a love that is ready to accept even death for the sake of the believed.
I have often failed to live this love and sacrifice. But I know that Our Lord is calling me and others to keep aspiring to it. His grace is sufficient. His help is ever present, and His reward is certain.
My prayer and fervent wish for all of us is that overcoming all doubts, fears, and weakness of the flesh we would love more and sacrifice more; that we would seek total conformity to Christ Crucified through fervently praying at abortion centers, lovingly counseling mothers in crisis, and boldly rescuing God’s precious children.
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Help pro-life heroes expose the truth about abortion: LifeFunder