It makes for a good sound bite or quotation when a pro-life activist says the defense of unborn children is a 24 hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week struggle. The anti-life element is always active; the argument goes, so the effort to uphold the sanctity of all human life cannot afford to take a holiday.
It’s one thing to persevere in an important struggle. And what struggle is more important than preserving the dignity of human life? As noted in last year’s Gospel of Life encyclical, for example, “…a new and –if possible – even more sinister character, giving rise to further grave concern: broad sectors of public opinion justify certain crimes against life in the name of the rights of individual freedom, and on this basis they claim not only exemption from punishment but even authorization by the State, so that these things can be done with total freedom and indeed with the free assistance of healthcare systems.”
Despite this profound concern over the rising threats to human dignity, there is no reason that even the most diligent pro-lifer should not take time for himself or herself to relax, enjoy nature, or simply get away from the daily routine.
It is on fact beyond the expectation of even the most dedicated pro-life activist or supporter to be “on duty” all the time. Who among us can carry on at peak performance day after day week after week without letup? While the prospect of the new assaults on the innocent unborn, the vulnerable and the traditional family provide their own motivation to persevere, we should never neglect entirely our own individual needs.
That’s why as the warm weather settles in, we’re reminded of the real value of recreation and leisure activity. It’s an opportunity to step back from the daily routine, spend time with family and friends, and reflect on things that are most important.
Perhaps it’s fitting that as we remember the importance of recreation, we consider the results of a new questionnaire, which has been circulated among Canada’s pro-life community. Entitled “Compassion Fatigue”, the cross-country survey of present and former pro-life activists should shed valuable information on how best to maintain morale and avoid the inevitable burnout associated with doing too much with too little.
There is not doubt that many dedicated pro-life people make tremendous sacrifices to carry out their work. Some have left successful careers and comfortable circumstances to devote themselves to the cause. Others juggle the demands of families or full time work to spend what precious little free time they have working for the unborn.
It is to these individuals that the Compassion Fatigue questionnaire is most directly addressed. The results of the questionnaire are now being tabulated. They will doubtless paint an insightful picture of the current mood of Canada’s pro-life community and how it can face the human resource challenges of the future.
Although the results are not final, some general patterns have emerged. It has become apparent that some of the most dedicated pro-life people feel they are part of a vanishing breed. Working long hours in an atmosphere made tense by pro-choice badgering and media hostility, has left many pro-lifers feeling isolated and unappreciated.
The image of pro-lifers as violence-prone fanatics also takes its toll. The stereotype has been promoted not only by pro-abortion advocates, but also by an uncritical media, which continues to shirk its responsibilities.
While many pro-lifers find strength and encouragement from their colleagues, others feel support from their faith community leaders is less then whole-hearted. This is unfortunate given the fact that the overwhelming majority of pro-lifers take great comfort and inspiration from their faith and from prayer.
Many labor under the impression that there is a lack of personnel waiting to take up the struggle in the coming years. This can only add to the mounting tensions as pro-lifers anticipate fewer resources to meet the increasing threats to life and family on the horizon.
Faced with such mounting obstacles, the value of small relaxations becomes even more apparent. We have to be good to ourselves sometimes. Otherwise the qualities of compassion and enthusiasm that originally attracted supporters to the pro-life questionnaire so aptly notes, “We are human beings doings super-human work. In learning to care for ourselves and for each other, we will be better able to continue the wonderful work we do.”
Think about that next time you feel a tinge of guilt for putting the cares of the day behind you and doing something totally indulgent. Pro-lifers, as much as anyone else, need that time to recharge the batteries to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
