This essay is from a seventh-grader named Kevin in the diocese of Memphis, Tennessee. The class had a writing competition for essays based on Professor Janet Smith's famous lecture "Contraception: Why Not." Kevin's essay was the winner. It is wonderful to see young people coming up who have such a great grip on basic life issues.

In the 1960’s, during the Vietnam War, the use of the contraceptive Pill became more commonplace. Then in 1973, two important Supreme Court cases were decided. The cases of Roe vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton completely changed American abortion law as well as the American culture. The effect of these rulings made abortion available to any woman, regardless of her age for any reason during the first seven months of pregnancy and for almost any reason thereafter.

Young people vowed to, "Make love, not war," expressing strong feelings against the Vietnam War and their point of view about "free love." Because contraception and abortion became increasingly and easily available, there was an intensified interest in sex. Movies, art, television shows, etc… began to focus on sex too much and now sexual messages are everywhere. Because they are, children and teenagers see these messages often. They have become accustomed to these messages and because of this, it impacts their attitude about casual sex, which ultimately results in more abortions.

Since the first century, the Catholic Church has protested against the moral evil of abortion. The position of the Church has not changed and the Church proclaims that life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception. Pope John Paul II, in his Encyclical Letter, "On the Value and Inviolability of Human Life," writes that the, "rejection of human life, in whatever form that rejection takes, is really a rejection of Christ." The letter quotes, Matthew 18:5, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me," and Matthew 25:40, "I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did to me."

Msgr. Vincent Foy has called the "contraceptive mentality worse than the ten plagues which devastated Egypt." It is estimated that more than 30 million unborn babies have been aborted since 1972. To fight this evil, the U.S. Bishops and Pope John Paul II have called for heroic support of pro-life causes.

Across the United States, parishioners, priests, men and women religious, educators and social workers, as well as parents and community leaders are working hard to offer hope and guidance and to educate. They are working to strengthen families and to talk with young men and women about the evils of contraception and abortion.

It is important that people’s attitudes about abortion be changed first. Then more and more of the faithful will fight to change abortion laws and to uphold them. The faithful need to march for life in greater and greater numbers and to pray and do penance. As Monsignor Vincent Foy writes for the American Life League, "May God help us and may Our Blessed Mother intercede for us."

As Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, "How can there be too many children? That is like saying that there are too many flowers."