by
Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 4,
2005
The following is a compilation of quotes from pro-life groups and leaders
on the death of Pope John Paul II, the leader of the Catholic Church:
Pope John Paul II "reminded us of our obligation to build a culture
of life, in which the strong protect the weak." -- President
George W. Bush
"Today
we bid farewell to Pope John Paul the Great, the Pope of Life,"
Father Frank Pavone, director of Priests for Life, said. "His
teachings will guide and nourish the Church for centuries. In particular,
his teachings on the sanctity of life, especially the unborn, will continue
to stir our consciences to build a culture of life."
Wanda Franz, Ph.D., president of the National Right to Life Committee, said the Pope "was an unfaltering voice for the unborn, the disabled and the elderly and was a strong defender of the right to life. His stalwart opposition to the evils of abortion, infanticide and euthanasia was grounded in compassion and love and he will be deeply missed."
Beverly LaHaye, founder and chair of Concerned Women for America: "The Pope was a peerless defender of life. Pope John Paul II has consistently opposed the coarsening of culture and the culture of death; at the same time, he has consistently upheld the sanctity of life and the right to freedom"
"A great champion of the unborn and the disabled, the Pope and the Catholic Church called the effort to kill Terri Schiavo by removing her feeding tube 'euthanasia by omission and he condemned those who tried to do so. Pope John Paul II was such a great hero of the pro-life movement." -- Christian Coalition of America President Roberta Combs
Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Executive Director Dr. Robert J. O’Hara, Jr.: "In the realm of public policy, his clear and unambiguous teaching and his tireless commitment to the weakest among us -- the poor, the elderly, the sick, and the unborn -- not only provided guidance to conferences such as ours, but over the course of his pontificate, created public dialogue on issues of fundamental importance."
Archbishop Randolph Sly of the Charismatic Episcopal Church: "He was a Pope of Life who had an unbridled passion for the Right to Life of all persons including the unborn and the disabled, as well as a fervent love for the helpless and the poor."
Father David O'Connell, President of Catholic University in Washington: "His talking about abortion reflects his consistent belief and conviction and the consistent belief of the Catholic church in the sacredness of human life and every human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. And he was unwavering in his speaking about that, writing about that, and dealing with that issue within our world."
"For over 26 years, the Pope offered courageous and tireless leadership as he defended and promoted the right to life and the dignity of all people -- the unborn, the elderly, the dying, the disabled and the poor." -- Feminists for Life President Serrin Foster
