Catholic Family Vignettes

The United Nations, of course. What other global entity could, on the one hand, pronounce the devastating effects of an "aging global population", and on the other join hands (again) with Planned Parenthood to campaign for legalized abortion in Africa?

A recent document published by the UN, World Population Aging 2007, outlines several "profound" (duh!) discoveries regarding our shrinking world population:

Population ageing is unprecedented, a process without parallel in the history of
humanity. A population ages when increases in the proportion of older persons
(that is, those aged 60 years or over) are accompanied by reductions in the proportion of children (persons under age 15) and then by declines in the proportions
of persons in the working ages (15 to 59). At the world level, the number of older
persons is expected to exceed the number of children for the first time in 2047. In
the more developed regions, where population ageing is far advanced, the number
of children dropped below that of older persons in 1998.

Population ageing is pervasive since it is affecting nearly all the countries of the
world. Population ageing results mainly from reductions of fertility that have
become virtually universal. The resulting slowdown in the growth of the number
of children coupled with the steady increase in the number of older persons has a
direct bearing on both the intergenerational and intragenerational equity and solidarity that are the foundations of society.

Population ageing is profound, having major consequences and implications for all
facets of human life. In the economic area, population ageing will have an impact
on economic growth, savings, investment, consumption, labour markets, pensions,
taxation and intergenerational transfers. In the social sphere, population ageing
influences family composition and living arrangements, housing demand, migration
trends, epidemiology and the need for health-care services. In the political
arena, population ageing may shape voting patterns and political representation.

Population ageing is enduring. Since 1950 the proportion of older persons has
been rising steadily, passing from 8 per cent in 1950 to 11 per cent in 2007, and
is expected to reach 22 per cent in 2050 (figure I). As long as old age mortality
continues to decline and fertility remains low, the proportion of older persons will
continue to increase.

Unprecedented, pervasive, profound and enduring. Strong words.

And the obvious conclusion to these "profound discoveries":

Because fertility levels are unlikely to rise again to the high levels common in the past, population ageing is irreversible and the young populations that were common until recently are likely to become rare over the course of the twenty-first century.

Irreversible. Well...it seems rather obvious that the biblical mandate "be fruitful and multiply" might possibly offer a solution to this irreversible "problem."

In a nutshell: the UN is forecasting, basically, an end to life on this planet as we know it due to an aging world population with no known solution. Their response to this devastating news? More abortion! Legalized abortion for Africa.

Working with Planned Parenthood, their goal is to "demystify taboos about abortion" through the promotion of the Maputo Plan of Action, which includes proposed health program costs, targets and measures for abortion services, calling on states to "enact policies and legal frameworks," to "prepare and implement national plans of action" as well as "refurbish and equip facilities for provision of comprehensive abortion care services."

An aging population, increased promotion of abortion and contraceptive services. Business as usual for the United Nations.

Beyond ridiculous.

I call heaven and earth to witness this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose therefore life, that both thou and thy seed may live Deuteronomy 30:19