Pro-Life Orgs Continue Denouncing Murder of Abortion Practitioner George Tiller
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
June 2, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Pro-life organizations of every stripe continue to consistently denounce the recent murder of abortion practitioner George Tiller. The Kansas-based late-term abortion practitioner was killed on Sunday morning — allegedly by vigilante Scott Roeder, who has no connection to legitimate pro-life groups.
Former presidential candidate and America Values president Gary Bauer reflected the response of most pro-life groups in telling LifeNews.com that true pro-life advocates "reject the killing of every defenseless, innocent human being."
He said Roeder, if he is indeed the shooter, "has nothing to do with the pro-life movement, which overwhelmingly condemns the murder of the innocent."
Speaking on behalf of the nation’s Catholic bishops, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia expressed profound regret upon learning of the shooting death of Tiller.
"Our bishops’ conference and all its members have repeatedly and publicly denounced all forms of violence in our society, including abortion as well as the misguided resort to violence by anyone opposed to abortion," Cardinal Rigali said.
"Such killing is the opposite of everything we stand for, and everything we want our culture to stand for: respect for the life of each and every human being from its beginning to its natural end," he said.
Texas Right to Life officials agreed and issued a press statement condemning the Tiller shooting saying it "unequivocally condemns any such acts of violence regardless of motivation."
"Texas Right to Life and all pro-life organizations with whom we are affiliated and with whom we partner use only legal, peaceful, and prayerful means to protect the right to life of all humans and increase respect for innocent human life. Such unlawful use of violence is directly contrary to that goal," the group said.
"Texas Right to Life relies on peaceful solutions to aid pregnant women and their unborn children and to assist the disabled and elderly; none of our efforts to help women, their children, and families involve violence against anyone," it added.
Melinda Delahoyde, the president of Care Net, a national organization that includes thousands of pregnancy centers across the country that help pregnant women are who considering an abortion, also condemned the shooting.
"It is never consistent with the pro-life ethic to take the life of another human being made in the image of God. Those responsible for the murder should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," she told LifeNews.com.
The following groups have also submitted recent statements on the Tiller shooting to LifeNews.com:
Joseph M. Scheidler – "It has always been my philosophy that we convert abortionists. As activists committed to saving lives, we vigorously oppose violence."
Oregon Right to Life – "Pro-life advocates must promote the right to life of every innocent human being, but we need to respect not only moral innocence, but legal innocence as determined by our system of law. We have no right to use violence against others as a protest against lawful, though immoral acts. We who are pro-life believe in the intrinsic evil of abortion. However, we have no right to use violence against others as a protest against lawful – although immoral and abhorrent – acts. Because of this we must condemn this unlawful murder."
Population Research Institute President Steven Mosher – "As members of the pro-life movement, we decry murder in all its forms, and we firmly believe that every life is to be protected. The murder of Mr. Tiller, especially in a house of worship, violates the fundamental principle of our movement: that every human life is sacred.”
Brian Gibson, Pro-Life Action Ministries – "But as horrific as abortion is and heinous the acts of the abortionists are, we must always remain peaceful and act with the mind of Christ. There is no room in our work for thoughts or acts of hatred, anger, bitterness, or violence. To the contrary we must boldly speak the truth in love, with peace and faith in the mercy of God."
Consistent Life – "Responding to violence with violence only furthers the cycle of violence, which harms all human society. We urge opposition to all forms of violence through creative nonviolent means. Killing people does not demonstrate that killing people is wrong."
Illinois Right to Life Committee – "Violence against abortion providers is not the answer, and has never been advocated by Pro-Life organizations."
Presbyterians Pro-Life – "We abhor the violence of abortion and surely Dr. Tiller was a long-time participant in the killing of many innocent pre-born children, but in our deep commitment to protect unborn life, we disavow all use of violent means of protest or retaliation."
Georgia Right to Life – "Answering violence with more violence in not the way to end abortion in our state or our nation. We are opposed to violence, in or out of the womb, and condemn any violence directed to persons and/or property, either in the pursuit of objectives we seek or in the pursuit of any broader objectives of our society."
Center for Arizona Policy – "We unequivocally denounce the use of violence or other illegal activity to achieve our goal of preserving, promoting, and defending the sanctity of innocent human life from the time of conception to the end of natural life, and we reject any association with organizations or individuals who employ violence in their efforts."
Ohio Right to Life – "Ohio Right to Life condemns the killing of Dr. George Tiller. Such violence is inconsistent with the core beliefs of the pro-life movement and has no place in any civilized society. We will continue to work for peaceful and life-affirming solutions to aid pregnant women and their unborn children. Such solutions will never be advanced by violence of any kind against anyone."
Tennessee Right to Life – "By its very nature the pro-life movement is pacifist and we reiterate that violence can never be accepted as a solution to any of society’s most difficult problems."
Missouri Right to Life – "Missouri Right to Life is committed to working peacefully and legally in our efforts to educate citizens on the tragedy of abortion and to work for legislation that will protect women and their unborn children. We urge all who support the sanctity of human life to offer their prayers for Dr. Tiller, his family, and to pray for an end to abortion."
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