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With another seventeen tragic deaths in an American small town—victims of another school shooting—we’re hearing the usual debates about gun ownership, security, and protecting the vulnerable. Through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, however, most especially Pope Francis’s eco-encyclical Laudato Si’, and those of his two immediate predecessors, the bloodshed in Parkland, Florida is connected to other forms of violence that, to name only a few, justifies the killing of the innocent, such as the unborn; the disposal of the elderly; the mistreatment of the alien; and the destruction of the environment. Sadly, such an integrated Catholic view is not welcome in popular discourse.

Instead, we are debating if and how government should control weapons, often ignoring that government plays a limited role in controlling free will. Both sides of the gun debate bring helpful ideas, but, as usual, both are prone to dismissing their opponents’ points. Here in the States, ideologues have made an art out of the inability to hear an opposing view, let alone adjusting one’s opinion based on it.

And so, polarization widens, and our ancient enemy relishes the consequences.

One of these consequences is the inability to process nuanced and holistic...

The United States Senate failed on Monday to pass an act that would protect unborn children over twenty weeks old. Catholics across the nation were quick to denounce the Senate vote. In his statement, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities called the Senate's failure to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act "appalling." The question now is, will Catholic eco-advocates add their voice to the outrage?

Given the speed with which so many eco-centered Catholic advocacy groups rightfully post on social media and email their base about the administration’s assault on environmental protections and the Paris Climate Accord, it would be appropriate now to make noise about the Senate’s disregard for innocent human life.

Here’s why:

First: Pope Francis has been clear on the “integral” nature of abortion and ecology. So have his predecessors. If we are to be credible champions of Laudato Si’, then we must be equal-opportunity advocates for all issues that protect life.

Second: Standing alongside our brothers and sisters on the front lines of the abortion wars will go a long way to heal ugly and growing divides within...