Letter To Criterion, Archdiocese of Indianapolis

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Re: Criterion letter in the Feb. 14 issue of the Criterion deserves a response.

The good doctor claims President Trump is not Pro Life. After all, he says, “As a physician, I have delivered new life, sat with the dying, worked in a soup kitchen, delivered furniture through our Society of St. Vincent de Paul. All of these things have taught the true meaning of life with all the dignity that God gave it.” Unfortunately, he failed to mention anything about participating in the Annual Life Chain, the Annual Walk For Life, nor that he was a Birthright Volunteer or helped at the Birthright Walk-a-Thon.

In The Rule, Our Seraphic Father, St. Francis of Assisi, instructed of us, “We must all be on our guard against pride and empty boasting and beware of worldly or natural wisdom. A worldly spirit loves to talk a lot but do nothing, striving for the exterior signs of holiness that people can see, with no desire for true piety and internal holiness of spirit.” Brother Francis would often say to his brothers: "No one should flatter himself with evil praise over what a sinner can do. A sinner," he said, "can fast, pray, weep, mortify his flesh. This, however, he cannot do, namely, be faithful to his Lord." (Celano Second Life.)

Now I'm not saying President Donald Trump is a saint. Nor am I. We are both works-in-progress. But I can assure you that he is the most Pro Life President the United States has ever had.

Chris Dickson

Hermitage Scullion
The Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center
Jerusalem, Ohio

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