This first Sunday in October has been designated Respect Life Sunday. But it clearly needs to be asked what life deserves to be respected? I was speaking with a friend who underwent a minor "in and out" operation recently. He received a partial bill a few days later ~ almost 9,000 dollars. He wondered what people without insurance do when they need the same operation as he did? Many die prematurely.

The Catholic Church is on record (in writing and in activism) as a champion for the innocent lives of the unborn. As well it should be. We organize, lobby, and fight for legislation and the changing of laws to see that the unborn are protected and defended. And we must continue to do so.

However, we must not do so to the exclusion of other lives in need of being respected and protected. It is our job to insist that the lives of innocent Iraqi's, prisoners of war, death row inmates, uninsured Americans, illegal immigrants, and the unborn all be fitted under the same banner entitled: "Life worthy of being respected". One may choose to deny the sacredness of some lives if they so choose, but in doing so they must not claim to be speaking for God.