It doesn’t matter how much some voices want to minimize the abortion issue in this election, for whatever reasons they want to invent or excuses they want to take refuge in. The fact is, and always has been, that it is “the issue that won’t go away.”

That fact is all the more true when we look at things like my colleague Kelly Clinger, a spokeswoman for our Silent No More Awareness Campaign, posted on her blog on August 11.

Several days earlier, a woman had an abortion at the very facility where Kelly had hers in Orlando. (I’ve prayed at that mill multiple times.) The woman whose belly you see in the photo here was about five months into her pregnancy and was carrying twins until she had them killed on August 8, 2012. Killed legally.

All the help she needed to keep these children was offered to her, but she refused. Kelly pointed out, “She admitted that she didn’t want girls and that she had no compassion for the babies she was carrying. Through a 2 day process, she actually had to go into labor and deliver her sweet babies into a toilet.”

We are heavy into the election season. Many want to pull people’s attention to rape and incest situations. But what about 20-week healthy twins, who can still be dismembered legally in this country. (For more, see http://www.priestsforlife.org/columns/3726-driving-carhart-out).

To every candidate, in every race, in every election cycle, my question is, “When you say the word abortion, is this what you mean?”

This reflection is taken from my book Pro-Life Reflections for Every Day, which is available for purchase at: ProLifeReflectionsForEveryDay.org.

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him” (John 14:23).

Reflection: The Spirit is the bond of love between the Father and the Son. When the Father and Son come and abide with us, it is through this Holy Spirit. The Spirit unites the human family in bonds of self-giving love. Abortion, and other manifestations of the culture of death, however, divides the human family, because they are the opposite of self-giving.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, we need you and we long for the unity you bring. Give us the love that overcomes division. Amen.

This reflection is taken from my book Pro-Life Reflections for Every Day, which is available for purchase at: ProLifeReflectionsForEveryDay.org.

“Behold, children are a gift from the Lord, a reward of the fruit of the womb” (Psalm 127:3).

Reflection: Because children are a “gift,” they can neither be demanded nor discarded. That is why it is wrong not only to abort them, but also to “create” them through artificial means that replace normal human procreation. We do not have a “right” to children, but rather an awesome privilege to receive them, if God so chooses to give the gift.

Prayer: Lord, deepen our understanding of children as a gift. Give generosity to all parents, and patience to all those who await that gift. Amen.

This reflection is taken from my book Pro-Life Reflections for Every Day, which is available for purchase at: ProLifeReflectionsForEveryDay.org.

“God…set me apart even before my birth” (Galatians 1:15).

Reflection: Many pro-abortion public officials will say they believe that life begins at conception. But then they say they cannot legislate that belief on those who think it begins later. But suppose someone said, “I believe that life begins at birth, but I cannot legislate my beliefs on those who think it begins later.” Then the newborn would lose their legal protection. Such protection is needed precisely when some believe others shouldn’t have it.

Prayer: Lord, give our legislators, and all your people, wisdom to know the difference between legislating beliefs and protecting lives. Amen.

Staten Island, NY – Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, today issued the following statement on the passing of Joan Appleton, a former abortion facility nurse who went on to found and lead the Society of Centurions of America, a group that provides counseling and financial aid to those who leave work in the abortion industry.

“I was very sad to hear that Joan had died. I learned a lot from her over the years about the corruption in the abortion industry and the needs of former abortion providers like herself.

“Together with her and Pro-Life Action Ministries, I have had the joy of ministering to those who have left the abortion industry.  In Joan’s memory, we at Priests for Life will redouble our efforts to expand the Society of Centurions, ministering to former abortionists and their staff, and inviting those still in the industry to repentance and healing.”

Priests for Life is the nation’s largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.

This reflection is taken from my book Pro-Life Reflections for Every Day, which is available for purchase at: ProLifeReflectionsForEveryDay.org.

“He will have pity on the lowly and the poor; the lives of the needy he will save” (Psalm 72:13).

Reflection: Biblically speaking, the “poor” are not simply those who are materially deprived, but rather those who have no help but God. God has mercy especially on those who realize he is their only hope and only help. Those who are like God also have a “preferential option for the poor.” In other words, we go first to those who need our help the most.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the “poor,” for those most abandoned and forgotten. Let their voices be heard and their lives spared. Amen.

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Sunday, Sept. 9 is the last of three “Voter Registration Sundays” organized and promoted by Priests for Life.

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, hopes all people of faith will take part by helping to register as many Americans as possible to vote in the fast-approaching elections.

“Assisting people to register to vote is one of the best ways to exercise our citizenship,” said Fr. Pavone.

“Non-partisan voter registration is both legal and appropriate for Churches to do, because it is a way to assist members of the congregation to exercise their faith in day- to-day life, and to take advantage of the freedom God gives us in this country.”

Visitors to www.priestsforlife.org/vote will find all the information and materials they will need to conduct a successful registration drive. Priests for Life has spearheaded this effort by forming the “Vote Pro-life Coalition,” in which dozens of national organizations pursue the same goals related to non-partisan political involvement.

“Voter registration drives fall within the activities that are permitted to tax-exempt organizations and churches,” said Father Pavone. “The IRS is not standing in our way, so there is no reason that Churches and non-profits shouldn’t be working hard to ensure a high voter turnout in November.”

“Let’s also keep in mind that voting actually starts in September, given the early voting that many states provide. So there’s no time to waste.”

Priests for Life National Director Fr. Frank Pavone today issued the following statement on the abortion plank approved by the Republican Platform Committee.

“Priests for Life is grateful to those who have served on the platform committee for the Republican Party for reaffirming the truth that ‘the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed.’ A declaration like this goes far beyond party politics and national boundaries. It affirms the very purpose of government and an essential condition of civilized society – a purpose and condition which, to our alarm, has been forgotten by some parties and public officials.   “After pointing to the essential principle of the right to life, the statement further points to concrete steps that can be taken now to more fully implement that principle. In particular, the issue of protecting children who feel pain is one that the public should consider. The Humane Slaughter Act protects animals from unnecessary pain. To do any less for children is not only a policy failure, but a basic failure to act as human beings.

“As we have done in past election cycles, Priests for Life will issue a non-partisan comparison of the party platforms once they are approved by their respective Conventions.”

This reflection is taken from my book Pro-Life Reflections for Every Day, which is available for purchase at: ProLifeReflectionsForEveryDay.org.

“He said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:26-27).

Reflection: Today we observe the Queenship of Mary, acknowledging that the highest place that any creature holds in heaven is occupied by a woman and a mother. To be pro-life is to be pro-woman, and Mary the Mother of God is an example and inspiration for all women about how to embrace the vocation of motherhood, facing the unexpected and the unplanned with faith, courage, and joy.

Prayer: Queen of heaven, grant all your people a deep appreciation of the dignity of women, of motherhood, and of life. Amen.