Fr. Pavone, following news that abortionist George Tiller was shot to death today in Wichita, Kansas.
"I am saddened to hear of the killing of George Tiller this morning. At this point, we do not know the motives of this act, or who is behind it, whether an angry post-abortive man or woman, or a misguided activist, or an enemy within the abortion industry, or a political enemy frustrated with the way Tiller has escaped prosecution. We should not jump to conclusions or rush to judgment."But whatever the motives, we at Priests for Life continue to insist on a culture in which violence is never seen as the solution to any problem. Every life has to be protected, without regard to their age or views or actions."
George Tiller died from the same philosophy by which he lived. And we in the pro-life movement regret his death as loss even as we regret and mourn the deaths of those tens of thousands of innocent children whom he killed over the last 35 years. We regret his death because we seek the conversion of the soul, the restoration of the person and the recognition of wrongness of ones actions so that reconciliation can occur for that person.
We have seen former abortionists realize the evil they had done and seek the forgiveness of both God and their fellow citizens. Leaders such as Joe Scheidler have reached out for years to those who worked in the abortion industry and have brought them out of the hell they were living. In such remarkable events one finds additional proof of the supremacy of the pro-life perspective over the selfish calloused approach promoted by the abortion proponents.
But let us keep everything in perspective. George Tiller made a living killing babies and harming women. He danced with death every day. Tragically someone with Tiller's mentality thought that he or she could act with the same impunity that Tiller claimed in his actions. And as Fr. Pavone noted, at this point we do not know who acted and for what purpose or motive.
Let this event remind this nation why abortion is ultimately a destructive act for all involved. Let us pray for the end to abortion in our nation and throughout the world.
Cross-posted: Jacubczyk on Life
Let us all encourage others to NEVER be violent when being pro life. Pro abotion people are 99% of the time NOT cruel, NOT murderous, they don't think 'yes, let's kill a baby.' Pro abortion men and women are pro abotion because they think it 'helps' the woman, they do it out of love and respect, and ignorace of the truth.
I think we are united in our belief of non violence. I go a step further. I believe in non-provacative actions. Do not say, or act or show images which may proke violence. I am not a coward - I want to change hearts, change minds, and change the laws. If you attack someone, it strengths their idea or opinion.
Dr Tiller was shot once before, perhaps if that person had spoken with him, been caring and respectful... Dr tiller may have changed his heart. Causing violence is not Christian... and it is not God's plan. We can be sure of that.