The contagion of the world's slow stain...

Which blinds and desensitizes.

That's from something S. Catherine of Genoa said was her concern, to beware the contagion of the world's slow stain.  It is similar to what people have warned about the war in Ukraine - 'don't get used to it' - don't get used to the atrocities - like we did with abortion and a woman's right to choose.

I'm tempted to say, finally the bishops are standing up and making their voice heard, but on some level, they always have - until it turned into a communion debate - who can and cannot receive and so on.  Then the CDF intervened and it wasn't supposed to be about barring someone like President Biden from  communion.  That is an issue for the individual conscience and the pastor - it's not my concern.  (We can judge actions, e.g. immoral acts and laws, but not the conscience or the state of one's soul. At least, that's how I see it.)

That said, what is a concern is the recent statement by Archbishop Lori, speaking for the USCCB regarding Biden's determination to codify abortion rights.  I am happy that the bishops are indeed speaking out - directly and clearly addressing the problem, without punitive threats.  Finally.

“The president is gravely wrong to continue to seek every possible avenue to facilitate abortion, instead of using his power to increase support and care to mothers in challenging situations,” Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said Oct. 25.

“This single-minded extremism must end, and we implore President Biden to recognize the humanity in preborn children and the genuine life-giving care needed by women in this country,” he said.

The U.S. bishops’ statement noted that last week Biden declared that his top legislative priority after the November elections is to codify a national right to abortion. - CNA

That's how to do it - don't mince words - address the issue head on.  The president is 'gravely wrong'.  Call him out - remain nonpartisan and stop using canon law to control behavior. The threat here is not just against the right to life, it is against religious liberty.  If Biden's plan goes forward, it poses a threat to our democracy, moving us closer towards a new form of totalitarianism.

Backers of abortion say the Women’s Health Protection Act would codify the overturned Roe v. Wade abortion precedent. However, critics say the bill goes much further than Roe. It would declare abortion a human right, undercut existing state pro-life laws, and force objecting doctors and religious hospitals to perform abortions. The bill has repeatedly failed to advance in largely party-line U.S. Senate votes. - CNA

Since Roe v Wade most of the country has gotten used to the idea that it is a woman's right to choose, while we work and hope abortion will be safe, legal and rare.  That notion is the closest anyone can get for dialog concerning 'common ground' on abortion.  Yet it is still on the table with the 'women's right to choose' caveat.  A 'right' almost everyone has 'gotten used to'.