"Eating cake in heaven"

What an uplifting yet tear jerker of a story this is! This one is worth sending around the e-mail lists, both to those who respect life, and those who think they do by killing it if it doesn't seem "worth" it. It is written by an Episcapalian grandfather who has a surprisingly clear and forthright respect for the Catholic Church, this piece is as memorable for how he speaks as much as for the personal situation that he speaks about.

An excerpt:

Finbar William was my grandson. Finn was anencephalic, a rare condition where the brain fails to properly form in the womb. It is always fatal. Of course, we had known for months, thanks to sonograms and other wonders of modern medicine. Upon learning of his condition, I hoped for a swift miscarriage—making the best of a bad situation. I wanted “it” over and done with, so my daughter Meg and her husband Frank could get on with their lives. It was not to be. Finn went to full term.

...When it became apparent that Meg would not miscarry early, I thought that in this circumstance, abortion was perhaps permissible. It would certainly be understandable in contrast to abortion for “convenience.” After all, I thought, we know the outcome, what’s the point in prolonging the certain outcome? Then Meg gave me a printed copy of a “staff commentary” from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops which she found on the Internet. It addressed “Moral Principles Concerning Infants with Anencephaly.” Curse the Internet—I didn’t want to read it. I forced myself to read the expected, but dreaded language—“The Gospel of Life demands unwavering respect for the inherent dignity of babies born with disabilities or illnesses” (emphasis added). Not only no abortion, but also palliative care. And baptism, confirmation, and a funeral. Fine in the abstract, but is it really necessary here, with us? Yes it is, or the teaching means nothing.

Read the whole thing at "and God will make him a cake..."

Finbar William, may perpetual light shine upon you!

H/T to Amy, as usual.