May 13, 2009

Forum speakers to address pornography, stem-cell research and end-of-life-issues

By Julie Filby

A comprehensive list of life issues addressed by the Catholic Church today includes abortion, human sexuality, infertility procedures, cloning, stem-cell research, euthanasia and the death penalty.

To educate the faithful on three of these issues—stem cells, end-of-life concerns and pornography—Holy Family Parish will host a free Respect Life Forum 3 p.m. on May 17 in the parish center, 4358 Utica St. The event will feature three speakers.

Christian Brugger, D. Phil., associate professor of moral theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, who specializes in bioethics, will speak on stem cells.
His presentation—an introduction to stem cells and the moral argument against embryonic stem-cell research—will answer questions such as:

• What are embryonic stem cells?
• Why are embryonic stem cells coveted by scientists?
• Why not use adult stem cells?

“A reason people may be behind the curve as far as understanding stem cells is because it’s moving so quickly,” Brugger said. “The scientific question ‘Can we do this?’ is zooming ahead of the ethical question ‘Whether we ought to do this.’”

Brugger added while the current administration favors embryonic experimentation, there is hope the damage can be minimized.

“The door has been opened enough to affect a lot of embryos, but it’s not wide-scale yet,” Brugger said. “The conversation’s not over, especially in light of the scientific alternatives.”

Scott W. Dunn, attorney and partner with Flanders, Elsberg & Dunn LLC of Longmont, will speak on living wills and durable powers of attorney.

He will discuss what Colorado law says about provision of food and water, the Church’s teaching on end-of-life issues and where Colorado stands in the euthanasia debate.

“End-of-life issues continue to be important for persons wishing to uphold their Catholic values,” said Mimi Eckstein, director of the Respect Life Office for the Denver Archdiocese. “Along with Colorado law, people need to understand the teaching of the Church.”

According to Eckstein, Colorado has long been a state that euthanasia proponents look at as a favorable environment to lift the current euthanasia ban.

“Today’s push to lift bans against euthanasia gives this topic urgency,” Eckstein said. “The more we understand the wisdom behind Catholic teaching, the better we can protect and defend persons at the end of their lives.”

Derek Barr, a retired law enforcement officer and student at the Augustine Institute working toward a master’s degree in biblical theology, will speak on pornography and its effects.

In 19 years of law enforcement, including juvenile crime investigation, Barr found in nearly all sexual assault cases involving children, pornography played a role in the victimization—either from personal use or as a lure.

“It’s not just a vile form of ‘entertainment,’” he said. “It’s much worse—it’s a root of sexual sin and directly attacks the sacrament of marriage and the family.”

Scientific studies have shown that prolonged exposure to pornography diminishes an individual’s desire to be married or to have children, making it a life issue for the Church.

“However,” said Barr, “it’s not an issue often discussed in the forum of our Church.”

Individual presentations will be followed by a question and answer session.