Unfolding a Post-Roe World

by Francis Etheredge

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Revisiting the Publisher’s Blurb

A Biography and New Foreword by Kiki Latimer: Biography; the New Forward: On the Reality of the Human Person: One in Body and Soul; On the Dignity of Women; To Choose Life; On the Reasonable Recognition of the Person; On the Coercive Choice; On the Objective Beginning of Personhood; On the Good of the Family

Excerpt from an interview with Elizabeth Kirk on Promoting Adoption in America

Part I: Refocussing the Heart of this Book

What is in a Title? Unfolding A Post-Roe World: Conception: An Unfolding Content; Rights Are Integral to Human Existence;
The help We Need to Understand What Is not so “Familiar; Conception: An Unfolding Content; Conception Expresses Both Uniqueness and Relationship; Questions; Is My Body Mine?; This Book; Five Parts

Part II: The Teaching of Experience: Law; Analogies; and Gardening: Comprising Chapters One and Two; Five examples of the image as a counterargument

Chapter One: An Imaginative use of Gardening and Plant Life: Part I: The Science of Plant Reproduction; Part II: Teaching through the Everyday Experience of Growing Vegetables: Tomato Seeds, Plants and Conception; The Early, Hidden Development of Both Tomato Plant and Embryonic Child; Conception and Growing Potatoes; The Integrity of Human Being; Plant Loss and Human Sorrow

Chapter Two: A Unitary Beginning of One or Many: Two Views: Immediate or Delayed Animation; The Possibility of a Single Answer to When Did I begin? Embryology: What is One Organism? Reverting to What is Original; A Difference of Words: Embryo and Child?

Part III: Literary Truths and the Literal Truth: Comprising Chapters Three and Four

Chapter Three: Passing Through the Past to the Present: From the “literal” use of an Image to the Truth of Embryology; Stage One: Taking the Comparison with a Plant to be Literally True; Stage Two: Movement, Sensation and the Rearing of Young; Stage Three: Rational Ensoulment; A Concluding Reflection: Towards Understanding Human Ensoulment; The Greatest Natural Transformation: The Unfolding of Conception

Chapter Four: Scripture and Theology: Word and Dogma: The Word of God and Dogma; A Variety of Witnesses to Human Conception – Beginning with Eve; Job; David; the Martyred Mother of Her Seven Martyred Sons; Mary: The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception and Human Conception

Part IV: What is Certain and What is Uncertain about Conception: Comprising Chapters Five, Six and Seven; Conversion to Reality

Chapter Five: The Teaching of the Church and the Problem of Uncertainty: Prologue: A Modern Moment; Introduction: Who is My Neighbour; The Problem of Uncertainty in both Church Teaching and the 14th Amendment

Chapter Six: On the Interpretation of Texts: Particularly “Amendment 14”: Amendment 14; Mr. Justice Rehnquist, Dissenting; On the Question of the Rightful Protection of Women; and The Principle of Determining an Appropriate Level of Legal Action

Chapter Seven: An Answer to the Uncertainty of What or Who Exists at Conception: What is the Experience of Women in Pregnancy?; The Witness of Each One of Us; A Discussion on the Teachings of the Catholic Church and the “Opinion of the Court”; A Clarification as Regards the Teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas; The Contribution of Revelation and Dogma; A Variety of Bioethical Declarations; Gravitating to a Consensus

Part V: Unfolding a Post-Roe World: Comprising Chapters Eight, Nine and Ten; Distinguishing Actual and Potential Human Life

Chapter Eight: Roe v Wade: The Ongoing Arguments of Benefit to us All: Justice Beyond a Change of Justices (i); Viability is for Life (ii); Choice, Burdens, and their Alleviation (iii); Bodily Integrity, Liberty, Equality and the Constitution (iv); Brain Death and Abortion (v); Abortion and the Advancement of Women (vi); True Justice is Irreversible (vii)

Chapter Nine: A New Beginning: The Opinion of the American Supreme Court; A Book by John Strege: Hannah: The First Child Adopted as a Frozen Embryo; ITEST Webinars Entitled “A Post-Roe World” (I) and “Bioethics and Law: Understanding the Nexus: Truth and Meaning in Constitutional Jurisprudence” (II) and The ongoing challenge: Is There a Right to Life in the American Constitution?; A Possible Comparison between the Legislative Variations of American States and a Precept of the European Court; Coercion: Personal and Social; An Ectopic Pregnancy: Fear, Truth and Opportunity; Pope Francis on Justice, the Bond of Fraternity and Peace

Chapter 10: A Conclusion in Three Parts: Part I: Lest we Forget Mother, Child and Father; Part II: The Wider Implications for a Post-Roe World: Three Loci: To Know our Identity; a Move Towards the Further Denial of Being Human; and Change; and Part III: The Disruptive Power of the Word of God: The Human Unpredictability of an Answer to Prayer: The Will of God

A Very Distinguished Testimony: Saint Teresa of Calcutta; Where To Get Help? “Seek and you will find” (Mt 7: 7): Help with Pregnancy or Post-Abortion Counselling; Dr. Pat Castle: ‘78% of post-abortion mothers said if they had encountered ONE supportive person or encouraging message, they would have chosen life.’ And, therefore, he founded “Life Runners”: they wear ‘“REMEMBER The Unborn” jerseys as a public witness in over 3,300 cities’.; A Testimony from a Man to Men: An Unexpected Joy: An Unprecedented Pain; Joy and Pain Express “Relationship”; “Indelible”; and the “Rise of Articles on St. Joseph and Fatherhood

Further Reading: A Variety of Prior Work on Conception and Specific Documents of the Catholic Church in English

REVIEWS OF THE SECOND EDITION

Mary Grenchus, in The Grenchus Foundation (January 16, 2023). To read on the Grenchus Foundation website, click here.

James Sale, in Goodreads.com (January 11, 2023). To read on Goodreads, click here.

Christine Sunderland, in ChristineSunderland.com (November 13, 2022). To read on Christine’s website, click here. To read on Goodreads, click here. To download as a PDF, click here.

REVIEWS OF THE FIRST EDITION

Christine Sunderland, in ChristineSunderland.com (May 15, 2022). To read, click here. To download as a PDF, click here.

Eileen Quinn Knight, in Profiles in Catholicism. (March 26, 2022). To read, click here.

TESTIMONIALS FOR THE SECOND EDITION

“A masterful work of philosophical and theological reasoning. A truly indispensable and invaluable guide for navigating one’s way through the contentious and ongoing abortion debate.” – Professor Richard Spinello, Boston College and Saint John’s Seminary, Boston

“In a post-Roe world, decisive answers to difficult questions and clear vision amidst deliberate ambiguity are required more than ever when it concerns Human life. That is exactly what Francis Etheredge offers here, not only to the United States but to the World.” – Fr Sean Gough is a Diocesan Priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, England. He has faced criminal charges for praying peacefully outside of an abortion centre.

“The advocates of the sexual revolution promised a breakthrough for the freedom, the happiness and human development of persons, especially women. But has this revolution really been the path to ‘an earthly paradise’? At a time when many fierce voices continue to deny the most basic right – the right to life – to the voiceless human beings in the womb, Francis Etheredge’s arguments have a compelling self-evidence because he allows human conception to show its beauty and preciousness. While admitting and understanding that “some people have difficulty in recognizing a real beginning”, the author invites us to go back to our own beginning, “to go to the roots of the basic questions of human existence and human rights” by appealing primarily to our human experience. No better route to take! He shows the readers that amidst the rich variety of life on earth, human life is cause for special wonder and that its sacredness is something that can be and is sensed by everyone who appreciates the wonder of human life. The child in the womb is not a ‘potential’ life, but a human life with potential. The baby’s life in the womb is an astonishing process of growth and development. As science makes clear, it is at fertilization that a new, unique, and genetically complete human being comes into existence. To help us understand human conception and why it makes perfect sense to defend it and adequately protect it, Francis Etheredge adopts a multifaceted approach and draws together insights from the fields of biology, gardening, medicine, literature, sociology, politics, law, ethics, philosophy, and theology. There is something for everyone to read, discover and ponder! If those who read this book allow it to challenge them and to form and/or deepen their understanding and appreciation of human conception, a great good will be accomplished.” – Monica Rapeanu STL, Co-founder and co-organizer of the Theology of the Body International Symposia

“I wholeheartedly recommend this book Unfolding a Post-Roe World. The topics of this book range from philosophy, bioethics, theology, which all make for an engaging read. Francis does a tremendous work portraying the aspect ‘that gratitude for childbearing has diminished in a culture that often condemns a mother for introducing another carbon footprint into the world.’ His exploration of ‘abortion and the advancement of women’ made for an inspiring read. Francis highlights the importance of breaking down the idea of ‘potential life.’ Utilizing the word of God, Francis demonstrates that the sacredness of all human life is the ultimate hope for society. This deep book provides a premise on the importance of not compromising when it comes to choosing life. Unfolding a Post-Roe World is an interesting work and a profoundly rewarding read.” – Catherine Mockler at SPUC and on Instagram

“Unfolding a Post-Roe World is one of the most comprehensive books on the greatest human rights issue of our time: the unborn child.  Etheredge beautifully interweaves the pro-life position with arguments from science, theology, philosophy, and so much more. At the final judgment, our generation will be accountable for the unborn children who died on our watch, making this book even more timely.” —Patrick O’Hearn, author of Parents of the Saints: The Hidden Heroes Behind Our Favorite Saints 

“The subject of abortion has once again come to the forefront with the passing of the Dobbs decision by the supreme court.  We all have a beginning, but when that beginning occurs is a matter of debate in the public sphere.  In his book, Unfolding A Post-Roe World, Francis Etheredge answers this vital question from several disciplines.  Using theology, philosophy, law, and many others he answers this question and defends life from the point of conception.  This amazing book is a must have for anybody that is serious about defending life.” —William Hemsworth, M.Div. (click here for his personal website), Columnist at Patheos, and Host of The Bible Catholic Show

“It is true that in our end is our beginning. But our understanding of our beginnings will shape the ends any society pursues. Francis Etheredge’s Unfolding a Post-Roe World uses a variety of intellectual tools from biology, law, literature, philosophy, and theology to help readers see what preborn life is and why defending it is essential for a post-Dobbs society.” —David P. Deavel, Associate Professor of Theology, University of St. Thomas (Houston, Texas), and Senior Contributor, The Imaginative Conservative

“Francis Etheredge’s book Unfolding a Post-Roe World follows on the judgment of the American Supreme Court in the Dobbs case, April 2022, which concluded that there is no constitutional right to abortion in the United States. The book is, therefore, written from what is now a post-Roe perspective, where there is no federal jurisdiction over abortion but where each individual state will promote its own legislation.  This is a major legal and political matter discussed in the book, which also considers ramifications for other jurisdictions. The author goes further, telling his readers that the broader purpose of the book derives from his conviction that: ‘… there needs to be a law that embodies the multiple rights of the nascent human person: the right to the life embodied in the dynamism of every human embryo; the right to completing human development; to the completion of what began unfolding from conception; and the right of ensuring the human integrity of each human being, so that nobody’s human identity is compromised by being ‘mixed’ with animal ingredients’ (Pp. 21-22). This is a matter for international law, therefore a matter of concern for every jurisdiction.” —Moira McQueen, LLB, MDiv, PhD, DSL (Hon.), Executive Director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto

“I find this book feels far more complete than the first version, particularly due to the comments on Dobbs v Jackson. I think this book makes excellent material for educating Catholics, but also to persuade other Christians of our views. The book is educational and convincing, but also moving. It proposes the case of Natural Law with charity and compassion for all. I hadn’t heard about the reimplantation of ectopic pregnancies before. I have found that a lot of talk around abortion differs from other areas of medicine in that people have little belief in the improvement of the science of fertility. For example, I have noticed that many of the people I have talked to about abortion tend to think the risk of maternal death is much higher than it really is. They don’t know that ‘viability’ or rather survivability of an unborn child is quickly becoming earlier and earlier. They also don’t share a vision or hope that medicine could improve with new techniques or technologies that would mean both mother and child could survive in almost all cases. Thank you for the updated version – I thought the new foreword, along with the new afterword were particularly powerful pieces.” —Michal Paszkiewicz, BSc Theoretical Physics, PgDip Science and Religion at Mobile Technical Lead at Navico Group

“This book, with the new foreword by Kiki Latimer, presents a suitable commentary on the issue of abortion. The poetic-theological “seasoning” of it brings an appropriate touch to the philosophical sensibility of Etheredge’s position, which operates with respect to the legal and social data of a pre- and post-Roe world. Etheredge’s overall approach is, I think, helpful because, on one hand, it squelches a popular tendency to reject any attempt at rational discourse about abortion while, on the other hand, employing basic principles of bioethics—and, to a lesser, though still informative, extent, metaphysics—so to present the dynamism of the issue at hand in a winsome manner. I anticipate that this book will serve as a positive guide, one which will lead its reader along a path of deep reflection concerning the genesis of human life—scientifically, philosophically, and theologically—and therein elicit a fundamental ethical question that should face each of us in our present epoch: What, exactly, are the metaphysical, moral, and theological implications of discontinuing, destroying, and discounting human life at its most vulnerable? My prayer for this book is that it will prompt the reader to reflect deeply on the question of human origins, and do so along the same lines as that “true metaphysician,” St. Bonaventure, did: that human life belongs supremely to the originating principle of the Father, and to the receiving principle of the Son, and to the terminating end of the Holy Spirit, ‘the Lord, the Giver of Life.'” —Lance H. Gracy, M.A., Teaching Fellow, University of North Texas, Department of Philosophy and Religion

“What Francis Etheredge has done here with “Unfolding a Post-Roe World” is tremendous. His work of cutting through the legal jargon and red tape of the American Constitution surrounding the recent Dobbs v. Jackson case is extraordinary. With patience and undebatable precision, Etheredge combs through various questions regarding life, existence, conception and the arguments against basic human rights: the rights of the unborn child. “Unfolding a Post- Roe World” reads clearly with strength and undeniable truth as the leading voice of defence for the defenceless. This book is without a doubt a clear outline for how we as a world can navigate these ethically complex times we find ourselves a part of.” —Annemarie Thimons, Director of Communications, MyCatholicWill.com

“In this short work, Francis Etheredge applies evidence and argument from different disciplines to the question of human personhood. His reasoning is thorough, patient, and infused with love. He establishes the personhood of the child in the womb from the moment of the joining of sperm and egg and lays out a convincing case for the 14th Amendment’s protection of all human life.” —Christine Kasun Moruza, Superior Court Judge (Ret.), Alameda County, CA, USA

“This is a truly astonishing book – in its range, depth, subtlety of learning, knowledge, philosophy and theology; not to mention jurisprudence, sociology and other stuff too! So in one sense it is complex and difficult to read, but in another it is very straightforward: it argues ‘that the more we depart from the simple principle, do good and avoid harm, the more there is a proliferation of moral crises and dilemmas’. These crises and dilemmas are a direct result of the American Wade v Roe ruling in 1973 and its approach to abortion, which the book argues fails to recognise what is being aborted: ‘Everyone agrees that something dies in an abortion; but does someone die?’ Thus, we get a cornucopia of research and ideas which are truly mind-boggling. Etheredge is a Catholic and I am not, so there are aspects of the Catholic parts of his argument that I do not fully accept, although I agree with most of the thrust of what he is saying; but importantly, he makes this great concession: ‘As atheist Nathan Hentoff recognized years ago, abortion is not a religious issue but one that can be understood as wrong by the light of natural reason alone.’ This, then, is not just a moral issue to be decided by an authority; it is also an ethical matter on which all right thinking people can think, and furthermore consider the evidence – biological, sociological, familial and so on – and therefore reach a much more informed conclusion. Indeed, the issue is much wider than abortion, for as Etheredge notes: ‘Bishop John Keenan suggests, there is a very real danger that free speech is under threat as it becomes socially unacceptable to protest, peacefully, to pray and counsel outside an abortion facility or to otherwise raise the contrary point of view in the pursuit of truth.’ This is certainly happening in the UK and it is a worrying and fascistic tendency. I cannot therefore recommend this book highly enough – given its level of detail and research, I am surprised that Etheredge is not a Professor at some prestigious university. Not an easy read, but I recommend you read it!” —James Sale, a reader from the UK on Amazon.co.uk

“For those looking to understand the history and rational arguments concerning Roe V Wade, this book has a lot to offer. Coming from both scientific and religious perspectives, it offers a comprehensive look at the entire spectrum of defining life from conception to death, what conception really looks like, and how this conversation influences—or should influence—our legal system. Lots of points to highlight and consider as we move into our future, hopefully with our humanity intact.” —Ann Frailey, a reader from the US on Amazon.com

“Unfolding a Post-Roe World manages to shed new light on life after the Dobbs decision. He reminds us that to understand the post-Roe world, we need to draw on the best insights from science, history, law, philosophy, and theology. We need rigorous thinking to defend the dignity of the unborn and compassionate hearts to address the plight of women in unexpected pregnancies. Etheredge’s thoughtful book equips readers with arguments and models of charity that should inspire them to promote a culture of life.” —Fr. Michael Baggot, LC, of the Regina Apostolorum

TESTIMONIALS FOR THE FIRST EDITION

“With the likely overturning of Roe v. Wade, cogent arguments are needed to help people understand the moral evil of abortion as the issue returns to the democratic process. Francis Etheredge has made a significant contribution to this debate with the publication of The ABCQ of Conceiving Conception. In it, he makes a persuasive case for the personhood of the unborn child by unpacking the meaning of conception. Using images from botany, zoology, philosophy, and theology, Etheredge accompanies readers on a journey to the discovery of conception as the necessary beginning of human life, with all its attendant rights.” – Thomas D. Williams, PhD. Author of Who Is My Neighbor? Personalism and the Foundation of Human Rights

“The moment of conception can be described as a mystery and miracle. Even from a secular perspective, the beginning of human life carries immense wonder. Notwithstanding our modern medico-scientific understanding of human embryology, the use of analogy remains a valuable means for grasping the marvel of conception. Borrowing illustration from gardening and plant growth, Francis Etheredge in The ABCQ of Conception offers an accessible introduction to this wondrous moment. By seeing human conception for what it is – the beginning of a human person’s life – Etheredge shows that each human being is a unique gift invested with dignity. As conception initiates an innate developmental process that seamlessly leads to a mature human individual, Etheredge compellingly argues that impeding this process for non- therapeutic reasons amounts to a transgression against the natural right to develop, entailing the need to protect human life from the moment of conception.” – Eric Manuel Torres, BHlthSci, MOrthoptics (LaTrobe), MNSc (Melb), GradDipTheol, MTS (CTC/UDiv), GradCertEdu [Specialist Inclusive] (Deakin), CertIIIBAdmin (S.Russo), AOBR, MOA, RN, Assoc. Member CMAV. Catholic moral theologian and bioethicist.

“The commonest argument put forward to justify abortion is that the unborn child belongs to the mother. It is therefore her body, her choice. This book beautifully dismantles such a view: ‘our bodies express each one of us’ from conception till natural death. Our very biological make-up says so: once pregnant, the mother’s immune system has to let it accept the presence of a different human being growing inside of her. The book demonstrates admirably and by means of analogy that the unborn child is no more part of the woman’s body than a plant is a part of the soil it is growing in. Of course, the plant needs the soil and the unborn child needs his or her mother. The book seeks to stimulate the founding of an internationally binding charter which envisions the natural integrity of every human being from conception till natural death. It is my firm belief that this work has given us a rational foundation to propose this.” – Dr. Pravin Thevathasan, MB.BS, MRPsych, MSc (Medical Ethics) Consultant Psychiatrist and Editor, Catholic Medical Quarterly

“In his verse, the French Catholic poet Charles Peguy loved to celebrate beginnings and origins. The first beginning for all of us, the starting-point of the great adventure of our human life, is conception in our mothers’ wombs. Francis Etheredge deserves our gratitude for helping us understand and appreciate its beauty.” – Fr. John Saward, author of several books, including Redeemer in the Womb

“What Francis Etheredge elucidates so clearly within the pages of The ABCQ of Conception is that every human life is sacred, that human life possesses a dignity beyond that of plants and animals. Why? Because from the beginning — from the very moment of our conception — we are formed in our mother’s womb in the image and likeness of God. Every human life would not be life at all without the direct intervention of God, who infuses a rational soul into a body, uniting spirit and matter. Etheredge leads the reader toward a heartfelt gratitude to God for the gift of life and the recognition that every human life is something to be marveled at and reverenced, not trivialized and exploited. He illuminates well the responsibility of every Christian and person of good-will to seek out the just and legal means necessary to protect innocent human lives from their inception. This work is much needed and timely in its arrival.” – Rev. Kenneth M. Dos Santos, MIC, Provincial Secretary, BVM, Mother of Mercy Province; author of Hagia Sophia: The Wisdom of God as Offered to the Modern World

“In his book The ABCQ of Conception, Francis Etheredge takes advantage of our natural experience of living things—such as the potato and its life cycle—to help us bridge the modern ‘gap’ in understanding when life begins in the human person. Regarding our conception, Etheredge states, ‘there is a common agreement that ‘something’ comes to exist at conception. The question is, then, what comes to exist at conception?’ —A basic question, yet so profound. I laughed out loud because it struck me with its simple logic and undeniable philosophical truth. Another of his questions begs an equally unmistakable answer: “What is so disappointing about a miscarriage? Surely it has nothing to do with the abstract claim of losing a blob of cells…” The ABCQ of Conception aids us in acknowledging the beginning of human life—so vitally important for those in the womb; conceived by invitro; in frozen embryo form; experimented upon; and whose DNA is mixed with animal DNA creating chimeras. All persons have a God-given right to their natural human development and their distinct familial history and experience of siblings, grandparents, and other natural relations. Etheredge sums up his book, poignantly, in one clear statement: “…if the truth establishes our common human identity then it establishes, at the same time, our ethical responsibility for each other.” This responsibility, therefore, creates necessity for global acceptance of the beginning of human life for proper respect, protection, care, and posterity of humanity and the natural family unit.” – Kimberly Bruce, MA Theology, author of The Gender Link to the Human Soul and Look at the SON: The Fruit of Medjugorje

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Francis Etheredge is married with eight children, plus three in heaven.

Francis is the author of Scripture: A Unique Word, and a trilogy From Truth and Truth (Volume I-“Faithful Reason”; Volume II-“Faith and Reason in Dialogue”; Volume III-“Faith Is Married Reason”), all of which are published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing; The Human Person: A Bioethical Word (En Route Books & Media, 2017), with forewords from eight writers; The Family on Pilgrimage: God Leads Through Dead Ends (2018); and Conception: An Icon of the Beginning, with contributions from ten other authors, as well as The Prayerful Kiss (2019); Mary and Bioethics: An Exploration (2020); Honest Rust and Gold: A Second Collection of Prose and Poetry (2020), Within Reach of You: A Book of Prose and Prayers (2021), Unfolding a Post-Roe World (2022), Reaching for the Resurrection: A Pastoral Bioethics (2022), Human Nature: Moral Norm, Lord, Do You Mean Me? A Father-Catechist! (2023), A Word in your Heart: Youth, Mental Health, and the Word of God (2023), and An Unlikely Gardener: Prose and Poems.

Francis is currently a freelance writer and speaker and his “Posts” on LinkedIn can be viewed here. Poetry; short articles; autobiographical blog; excerpts from books; and “Philosophize: A Ten Minute Write.”

See Francis’ other books, too, entitled Scripture: A Unique Word, From Truth and truth: Volume I-Faithful Reason, From Truth and truth: Volume II: Faith and Reason in Dialogue, From Truth and truth: Volume III: Faith is Married Reason.

He has earned a BA Div (Hons), MA in Catholic Theology, PGC in Biblical Studies, PGC in Higher Education, and an MA in Marriage and Family (Distinction).

Enjoy these additional articles by Francis Etheredge:

• Witness “begets” Witnesses http://www.hprweb.com/2015/02/witness-begets-witnesses/
• Love is a Liturgical Act http://www.hprweb.com/2016/02/love-is-a-liturgical-act/
• The Holy Family, Celibacy, and Marriage: A Reflection on the “Passage” from the Jewish Rite of Marriage to the Sacrament of Marriage http://www.hprweb.com/2014/08/the-holy-family-celibacy-and-marriage-a-reflection-on-the-passage-from-the-jewish-rite-of-marriage-to-the-sacrament-of-marriage/
• “Do-it-Yourself” or Vocation: Coincidence or Providence http://www.hprweb.com/2015/10/do-it-yourself-or-vocation-coincidence-or-providence/

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