I read today where Kansas bishops (of the Catholic Church) have issued a pastoral letter advising that embryonic stem cell research is a crime against life, that compromises all of society without achieving any beneficial health efforts. Titled “The Exorbitant Price of Embryonic Stem-Cell Research,” the document was issued by the heads of Kansas’ four Catholic dioceses, in order to take a stand against government funding of embryonic stem cell research and to refute the “popular” arguments that are being promoted by the news media, celebrities, and some in the medical field (although you’ll find many in the medical field who would support the position that embryonic stem cells have not been proven to have any real therapeutic benefits — whereas there are other stem cells that have demonstrated some specific advances).

The Kansas bishops’ premise, in support of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church regarding the absolute respect for life, is that “it is never morally permissible to destroy one human life even if it is done in the hope of benefiting other human beings.”

Good for them — let’s hear of more of this kind of thing from dioceses all around the country.  Catholics need to know that this is the right position to take, even though it might be difficult for those whose dear ones are in need of cures for their illinesses.