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It has been ten years since Pope John Paul II issued his encyclical letter The Gospel of Life. Perhaps now, when life issues seem to be more prominent than ever, it is a good time to fan the flame of this landmark document. Born on the Feast of the Annunciation, this encyclical proclaims that the heart of Jesus' message is the gospel of life: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). So brilliant is the pope's letter that no summary can do it full justice.
So instead of trying to boil the whole letter down in one brief article, let’s take a look at three central points that the pope made: the goodness of every life, the call to solidarity, and the vastness of the pro-life agenda. With these three points in the forefront of our mind we will be able to look more closely at the issue of embryonic stem cell research and come to a better understanding of how God himself sees this controversial question.
Life Is Always Good. The first—and most important—principle underlying the gospel of life is that God entrusts every life to the church. Every life? Even those who are not in the church or have never heard the gospel? Startlingly, yes!
Jesus came into the world to offer his life for everyone, from the unborn who have yet to…
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