Annual Indoor Pro-Life Gathering Will Return to US Capitol!
January 22 National Pre-born Service Gets Last-Minute Approval for
Prestigious Venue
Press Release
National Pro-Life Action Center, Washington, DC
January 21, 2009
Thursday morning's National Service for the Pre-born, previously known as the
National Memorial for the Pre-born and their Mothers and Fathers, will take
place inside the new US Capitol Visitor Center after being initially turned down
for an indoor venue this year. An alternate site at the Heritage Foundation
Building was made available to attendees, but the service will now be returned
to the US Capitol complex itself.
"This is a significant turn of events," said Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the
National Clergy Council and co-founder of the Pre-born Service. "It looked like
pro-lifers were being permanently barred from using US Capitol meeting space
after the last election, but it has turned out not to be the case after all. And
we all have Senator Orrin Hatch to thank for this welcome development."
Utah Senior Senator Orrin Hatch intervened as official sponsor of this year's
National Pre-born Service and made last-minute arrangements for the principle
coordinating groups, The National Pro-Life Religious Council, The National
Clergy Council, Priests for Life and Faith and Action, to return to the Capitol.
This year's National Pre-born Service will feature Fr. Frank Pavone, Rev. Rob
Schenck and Pastor Kenneth Barney. They will be joined by Pro-Life attorney
Steve Peroutka and dozens of clergy and other pro-life leaders from every
Christian denomination and tradition.
The National Pre-born Service is in its 14th Year and has become the premiere
indoor Capitol Hill pro-life event.
"This year's Pre-born Service is more important than ever," said Rev. Schenck.
"We now have an administration that threatens to reverse all the pro-life gains
of the last eight years. We must be a strong witness to the Gospel of Life in
the midst of the Congress. This venue allows us to just that. I am very grateful
to Senator Hatch for working so hard on our behalf."
Pro-life groups are being asked to spread the word on the very welcome
last-minute location change as far and wide as possible.
All clergy are invited to participate in the program and will be given
assignments on site. No preparation is necessary. Clergy should vest according
to their own custom, but must arrive early to do so. The service is free and
open to all pro-life people. As usual, the service will dismiss in time for all
attendees to participate in the Annual March for Life that follows.
2009 Clippings
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