No issue has galvanized folks on both sides of the political spectrum than the life issue. From the day that the Roe v. Wade decision was handed down by the Supreme Court until that decision was overturned, the life issue has defined the political debate, not only in Washington but around the dinner table and across the back fence.
Much of the debate has been on the definitions of the two sides or perspectives. When a pro-abortion position is defined as pro-choice, a woman’s right to choose, the right of a woman to determine her own healthcare decisions, the entire issue becomes clouded. It no longer is a decision to end a baby’s life in the womb or to allow that child to be born and live. Instead of being clear on where they actually stand on the issue of life, the Left chose to obfuscate and, in many cases, outright lie, about where they stood.
Many politicians in both parties who support abortion rights will state, “I personally oppose abortion, but…” and their personal beliefs go right out the window. Any time there is a vote on cutting off funding for Planned Parenthood or restricting tax-payer funding in any way, they end up on the side of not being willing to take a stand against “a woman’s right to choose.”
The Left will also attempt to confuse the pro-life position by comparing defending the rights of the pre-born to live with capital punishment for murderers, rapists, and kidnappers. Always including an exception for rape and incest continues the practice of capital punishment for the victim (the baby) and allowing the perpetrator to live.
Very few organizations have done more for the pro-life cause than Priests for Life. Priests for Life has come to signify two distinct but related movements within the wider pro-life movement.
On one level, Priests for Life refers to a very specific effort to galvanize the clergy to preach, teach, and mobilize their people more effectively in the effort to end abortion and euthanasia.
On another level, Priests for Life represents a family of ministries that reach and enrich every aspect of the pro-life movement, for clergy and laity alike, in a wide variety of activities. This has happened precisely because priests are not ordained for themselves, but for the people. So, in activating clergy, they are activating all the segments of the Church, the pro-life movement, and the wider society in the defense of life.
This wider family of ministries is referred to as Gospel of Life Ministries, to indicate that what unites them all is the Gospel of Life, the good news that life is victorious over death!
So, whether you are clergy or laity, young or old, active or inactive, and whatever your religious or ethnic background, you’re in the right place if you want to do something to restore protection to the most vulnerable members of the human family!
Pro-Life Leader Frank A. Pavone is one of the most prominent pro-life leaders in the world. Originally from New York, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1988 by Cardinal John O’Connor and has dedicated his entire life and ministry to ending abortion. In 1993 he requested and received permission to serve as the National Director of Priests for Life, which, under his leadership, has become the largest Catholic organization focused on ending abortion. He is also the President of the National Pro-life Religious Council, and the National Pastoral Director of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and of Rachel’s Vineyard, the world’s largest ministry of healing after abortion. He travels all over the country, to an average of four states every week, preaching and teaching against abortion.
Fr. Pavone broadcasts daily to hundreds of thousands of people via his television, radio, and online programs. Over the past three decades, Pavone has achieved many notable pro-life accomplishments. For example, Mother Teresa asked him to speak in India on the life issues. The Vatican appointed him to the Pontifical Academy for Life and to the Pontifical Council for the Family to help coordinate the pro-life activities of the Catholic Church. He was present at the bedside of Terri Schiavo as she was dying and was an outspoken advocate for her life.
Members of Congress have invited Fr. Pavone to address the pro-life caucus and to preach at the prayer service they had in the Capitol just prior to the vote on health care reform. He served on the Pro-life and Catholic advisory boards of both of President Trump’s election campaigns and in 2020 was National Co-Chair of Pro-life Voices for Trump. He currently serves on former President Trump’s National Faith Advisory Board. He received the “Proudly Pro-life Award” by the National Right to Life Committee and numerous other pro-life awards and honorary doctorates.
“Fr. Frank” is the author of four books, Ending Abortion, Not Just Fighting It; Pro-life Reflections for Every Day; Abolishing Abortion, and Proclaiming the Message of Life. Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” of the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade abortion decision, called Pavone “the catalyst that brought me into the Catholic Church.” His efforts have been recognized as a key factor in the reversal of Roe vs. Wade. His work has been praised by Presidents, Popes, and countless citizens.
Some Church leaders, however, have tried to cancel him and in 2022 convinced Pope Francis to dismiss him from the priesthood. He continues, however, in his fulltime pro-life leadership role with the unanimous support of the ministries he leads and his pro-life colleagues. Meanwhile, he is working within the Church to have his priesthood fully reinstated.
Please join us for this important and stimulating discussion.
