President Bush Touts Pro-Life Record at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Apr 18, 2008   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

President Bush Touts Pro-Life Record at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 18
, 2008

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — President Bush will never run for another election and has little political reason to kowtow to the pro-life movement to curry any political favors. Yet the president spent considerable time on Friday sharing the pro-life accomplishments of his administration at the National Catholic Prayer breakfast.

President Bush began by noting how he and Pope Benedict are united in the desire to promote a respect for human life.

"It’s not every day you get to be the warm-up act to the Holy Father," he said jokingly.

On a more serious note,

"He is courageous in the defense of fundamental truths," the president said. "He understands that every person has value, or to use his words, "each of us is willed, each of us is loved, [and] each of us is necessary.’"

"I’ve joined with you in striving to heed the Scriptures’ noble calling: to see God’s image in all mankind, and to uphold the dignity of each human being on Earth," he added.

Bush put talk of pro-life objectives accomplished during his two terms in office at the top of the speech — before any other political issue.

"Together, over the nearly seven and a half years we’ve worked to uphold the dignity of human life," he said.

"Over the last years, my administration has put a stop to U.S. tax dollars funding foreign groups that perform or promote abortions," he explained. "We’ve worked together to protect unborn victims of violence, and to end the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion."

President Bush said he’s tried to advance the pro-life cause on more fronts other than merely opposing abortion.

"We have stood fast in our belief that promising medical advances can co-exist with ethical medical practices," he said.

"Last November, scientists discovered a way to reprogram adult skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells," he explained.

"This is a significant breakthrough, because science — scientists have found a path that can lead beyond the divisive debates of the past — and extend the healing potential of medicine without destroying human life."

Bush closed by saying he appreciates the prayers of millions of Americans for success.

"This is a prayer breakfast. And this is a perfect place for me to say how much I appreciate the prayers of the people for me and Laura. I can’t thank our fellow citizens enough for taking time out of their lives to lift us up for prayer," he concluded.