The National Pro-Life Religious Council today concluded its board meeting in Washington, DC, during which it passed the following resolution. The document will be disseminated to church officials, religious organizations, theological schools and pro-life activists throughout the United States:
Whereas, the National Pro-Life Religious Council, America's only interdenominational pro-life church council made up of 17 religious bodies representing tens of thousands of constituents of Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant traditions, strongly opposes all forms of abortion including the vile practice of partial birth abortion, and,The National Pro-Life Religious Council was formed in 1984. Its purpose is to encourage every Christian denomination to affirm and witness to the biblical standard of the value, dignity and sanctity of human life, and to foster ministry to those vulnerable to the violence of abortion or euthanasia.Whereas, the people of the United States have passed a federal law against the practice of partial birth abortion which has been signed by the president of the United States, and,
Whereas, the federal courts have interfered with this law and frustrated the people of the United States and have allowed this reprehensible practice of partial birth abortion to continue without restriction,
Therefore, be it resolved, that the National Pro-Life Religious Council, convened at Washington, DC, this 6th day of April in the year of our Lord, 2006, urges its member organizations to mobilize their clergy and laity to continue their vigorous opposition to partial birth abortion and to file or to sign on to amicus briefs at the Supreme Court in support of the law against partial birth abortion and against the interference of the federal courts in this matter.
Passed unanimously on April 6, 2006.
Voting in favor of the resolution:
The Reverend Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life, Staten Island, NY
The Reverend Benjamin E. Sheldon, President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-Life, Elverson, PA
The Reverend John Brown, President, United Church of Christ Friends for Life, Bechtelsville, PA
The Reverend Rob Schenck, President, National Clergy Council and Board Member, Evangelical Church Alliance, Washington, DC
Mrs. Georgette Forney, National Organization of Episcopalians for Life, Sewickley, PA
Mr. Ernest Ohlhoff, Director of Outreach, National Right to Life Committee, Washington, DC
Ms. Vera Faith Lord, Alpha / Omega Life (Orthodox), Pittsburgh, PA
Mr. Dennis Di Mauro, Representative, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Herndon, VA
Members not present who will be asked to assist with action on the resolution:
The Reverend Kirk van der Swaagh, Representative, Conservative Congregational Christian Churches, New York, NY
The Reverend Paul Stallsworth, United Methodist Task Force on Abortion and Sexuality
The Most Reverend Randolph Sly, Archbishop, International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church
