October 12, 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
Every year for more than forty years, we have joined Catholics throughout our country in observing October as Respect Life Month. I invite you to join with me at a special Pro-Life Mass on Tuesday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. in Saint Paul Cathedral. We will anticipate the Mass with praying the Holy Rosary at 6:30 p.m.
I want to touch base with you on an urgent concern at the University of Pittsburgh and its affiliated medical school. This spring and summer, I engaged with administrators at the University of Pittsburgh and its allied medical institutions when I learned that it used fetal remains obtained from elective abortions. These were children who were denied the right to life by the choice of others. My attention was initially called to a research study on so called “humanized mice,” published in Scientific Reports, which researchers from Pitt conducted. Regrettably, I have discovered that the study is not an isolated incident of aborted fetal tissue used in research at the University of Pittsburgh. This practice perpetuates the idea that children in the womb are humans who are “non-human,” that is, subjects without rights. Such practices epitomize the exploitation of human beings, valued not for their intrinsic worth but as commodities.
Certainly, many individuals seek abortion in a moment of crisis. But death is not the solution. Our diocese and a host of other organizations offer medical and social services to women with crisis pregnancies and families struggling to raise children. Academic and medical communities must always honor the pledge to “First, do no harm.”
I do not question the aspirations of Pitt or its medical allies to improve lives. However, the most fundamental ethical norm undergirding all efforts for human betterment is the dignity, sanctity, and infinite worth of all human beings. Indeed, the foundation of a just and free society is the recognition that every human being has value and is the bearer of rights, regardless of strength, ability or origin. That is also the primary inspiration for scientific advancement and should be the moral compass guiding science to true progress.
History has borne witness to the tragic outcomes of relegating one group of humans to sub-human status, whether those persons are women, the aged, immigrants, persons of color, persons of a particular ethnic/national origin, or any marginalized and under-respected community. When any group of humans is prohibited from the care, protection and dignity essential to all, harm is always done regardless of the intentions. As history further attests, when categories of persons are consistently denied protection, society itself deteriorates and greater violations of human rights ensue.
I therefore call upon the University of Pittsburgh, as one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States, a leader of higher education for two centuries, to reevaluate its protocols for research. I ask that Pitt surpass established standards by naming unborn children as worthy of the same protection, dignity and respect that all categories of persons are afforded.
While I speak as a religious leader in our community, it is from the common ground of human interest I make this urgent request that the University of Pittsburgh stop the use of fetal tissue in research derived from elective abortions of those whose right to life was denied and consider what is most fundamental—the integrity of every human being and the rights that are inherent to all. The defense of defenseless human beings has traditionally been a principle shared by people of all faiths and by ethical people who have no religious faith. Human civilization is premised on respect for human rights. We believe those rights begin at the first moment of conception to the moment of natural death.
Please pray with me for an end to these practices at the University of Pittsburgh and its allied medical institutions.
Grateful for our belief that “Nothing is Impossible with God,” I am
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Bishop of Pittsburgh
October 12, 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
Every year for more than forty years, we have joined Catholics throughout our country in observing October as Respect Life Month. I invite you to join with me at a special Pro-Life Mass on Tuesday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. in Saint Paul Cathedral. We will anticipate the Mass with praying the Holy Rosary at 6:30 p.m.
I want to touch base with you on an urgent concern at the University of Pittsburgh and its affiliated medical school. This spring and summer, I engaged with administrators at the University of Pittsburgh and its allied medical institutions when I learned that it used fetal remains obtained from elective abortions. These were children who were denied the right to life by the choice of others. My attention was initially called to a research study on so called “humanized mice,” published in Scientific Reports, which researchers from Pitt conducted. Regrettably, I have discovered that the study is not an isolated incident of aborted fetal tissue used in research at the University of Pittsburgh. This practice perpetuates the idea that children in the womb are humans who are “non-human,” that is, subjects without rights. Such practices epitomize the exploitation of human beings, valued not for their intrinsic worth but as commodities.
Certainly, many individuals seek abortion in a moment of crisis. But death is not the solution. Our diocese and a host of other organizations offer medical and social services to women with crisis pregnancies and families struggling to raise children. Academic and medical communities must always honor the pledge to “First, do no harm.”
I do not question the aspirations of Pitt or its medical allies to improve lives. However, the most fundamental ethical norm undergirding all efforts for human betterment is the dignity, sanctity, and infinite worth of all human beings. Indeed, the foundation of a just and free society is the recognition that every human being has value and is the bearer of rights, regardless of strength, ability or origin. That is also the primary inspiration for scientific advancement and should be the moral compass guiding science to true progress.
History has borne witness to the tragic outcomes of relegating one group of humans to sub-human status, whether those persons are women, the aged, immigrants, persons of color, persons of a particular ethnic/national origin, or any marginalized and under-respected community. When any group of humans is prohibited from the care, protection and dignity essential to all, harm is always done regardless of the intentions. As history further attests, when categories of persons are consistently denied protection, society itself deteriorates and greater violations of human rights ensue.
I therefore call upon the University of Pittsburgh, as one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States, a leader of higher education for two centuries, to reevaluate its protocols for research. I ask that Pitt surpass established standards by naming unborn children as worthy of the same protection, dignity and respect that all categories of persons are afforded.
While I speak as a religious leader in our community, it is from the common ground of human interest I make this urgent request that the University of Pittsburgh stop the use of fetal tissue in research derived from elective abortions of those whose right to life was denied and consider what is most fundamental—the integrity of every human being and the rights that are inherent to all. The defense of defenseless human beings has traditionally been a principle shared by people of all faiths and by ethical people who have no religious faith. Human civilization is premised on respect for human rights. We believe those rights begin at the first moment of conception to the moment of natural death.
Please pray with me for an end to these practices at the University of Pittsburgh and its allied medical institutions.
Grateful for our belief that “Nothing is Impossible with God,” I am
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Bishop of Pittsburgh
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
I am writing to share the good news that the Diocese of Pittsburgh is launching a new instrument for evangelization and building unity among local Catholics. Many of you will soon be receiving in the mail, a copy of a beautiful, full-color Pittsburgh Catholic magazine. Today I invite you to join me in thanking God that this vision has become a reality.
The magazine will be published bi-monthly, and will carry stories about how local Catholics like you are living out your faith. You will see familiar faces in columns by Father Charles Bober, Jennifer Antkowiak, Bishop William Waltersheid and Father Joe Freedy – and my Bridging the Gap. You will also see many new features intended to offer you inspiration and advice on faith, spirituality and family life.
Our diocesan communications team produces the Pittsburgh Catholic magazine in partnership with FAITH Catholic publishing in Lansing, Michigan. It will be provided free to those on mailing lists supplied by our parishes. A small supply will also be available in our churches. If you do not receive a copy in the mail but would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact your parish office to make sure you’re registered. An online version of the magazine will be available, as well. Additionally, stories from across our diocese will continue to be published on the Pittsburgh Catholic online website (www.pittsburghcatholic.org).
My prayer is that this magazine will inspire you to learn, love and live Jesus more and more each day.
Grateful for our continued efforts together in being On Mission for The Church Alive!, and for our belief that “Nothing is Impossible with God,” I am
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Bishop of Pittsburgh
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered virtually for the 2021 Spring General Assembly from Wednesday, June 16 through Friday, June 18. A number of the sessions were livestreamed, and there were virtual press conferences. Bishop David Zubik participated in the meetings and offered his thoughts regarding important topics on the Agenda in a letter to priests, deacons and seminarians in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Bishop Zubik wanted to share his perspective with the faithful as well.
My dear brothers:
I know that many of you have been joining us Bishops these past few days during our Spring Meeting. Thank you for your consistent interest.
In viewing the agenda that was before us, you know that the importance of the Eucharist in the life of the Church took center stage:
We confirmed an action to further emphasize our recognition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and our Eucharistic celebration of that role of Mary as recently placed on the liturgical calendar on the day after Pentecost by Pope Francis. Truly a beautiful focus to deepen our appreciation of Mary as the Mother of the Church.
We engaged in an exciting response to a multi-year Eucharistic Revival project which goal it is to further reignite a passion in ourselves and in our people about the real presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
We debated the wisdom of commissioning the Committee on Doctrine to draft a letter on the meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.
We voted support of all three of these initiatives because, in the words of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, the Eucharist truly is the “source and summit” of what it means to be Church and what an incomparable gift is the Eucharist, “the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity” of our dear Jesus—truly the Blessed Sacrament.
There appears to be an insatiable desire on the part of some to divert attention from our need to catechize and evangelize our faithful around the life-giving reality of the Eucharist. Some are determined to undermine these efforts by clouding over our message by placing upon these efforts a political spin.
Minutes after voting results were announced on a number of our Conference initiatives, a headline flashed across my iPhone screen: “U.S. Catholic Bishops OK steps toward possible rebuke of Biden.”
Such a headline is not only misleading and unfair; it distracts from the purpose of the letter that is yet to be drafted.
You join with me in sharing our alarm about the deteriorating belief among some in the embrace of the Eucharist as the “Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity” of Christ. Likewise is our concern in the notable decline of the faithful at the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist as “the source and summit” of the Church.
I implore that you caution your faithful that our affirmation of a letter yet to be written is intended to help us all to have a deeper faith in, a deeper knowledge of and a deeper appreciation for our important reality of the Eucharist for us as Catholics.
As we move forward, I strongly implore you to join me in not letting the catechetical and evangelical purpose of the forthcoming letter “On the Meaning of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church” to be sabotaged by a rush to judgment.
May we pray for those who will be preparing the draft. May we pray for each other that we be united in our belief that Christ IS with us as we seek to deepen that unity among us.
Grateful for our continued efforts together in being On Mission for The Church Alive!, and for our belief that “Nothing is Impossible with God,” I am
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Bishop of Pittsburgh