Cardinal: Photos of life in womb are new evidence of sanctity of life

Published: 2004-01-22

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Every picture tells a story, according to Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York. And the story told by new pictures of children inside their mothers' wombs is a compelling one about the sanctity of life, he said. "Call it 'fetus' if you want. I know what I saw," said Cardinal Egan in his homily during a Jan. 22 early-morning Mass celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception prior to the annual March for Life. "Is it right to kill that little being photographed so clearly?" he asked. "Is it right to choose to kill it?" Cardinal Egan, who was the principal celebrant of the Mass, was referring to photographs that have appeared in national newsmagazines. For example, the June 9, 2003, cover of Newsweek used one such photo on its cover, with the headline, "Should a Fetus Have Rights?: How Science is Changing the Debate." Inside the magazine were similar pictures.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .