PORT CHESTER, N.Y.—Following a heroic but unsuccessful
effort by the Catholic hierarchy and the entire pro-life community to convince
President Clinton not to veto the partial-birth abortion ban, Priests for Life
is now launching a drive to educate the faithful about this callous and brutal
procedure.
Describing the White House veto as "a travesty of governance and a threat to
all human life everywhere,'' Fr. Frank Pavone, national director, is urging
America's nearly 50,000 priests to vigorously educate their parishioners about
President Clinton's action.
"As national director of Priests for Life—an official association in the
Catholic Church—it is my duty to make it clear to every single priest and deacon
in my organization that what President Clinton has done is totally unacceptable.
I want to give my solemn word that we will do everything in our power to let our
people know what the veto of this ban means—that the President of the United
States is in favor of allowing living, innocent children to be butchered while
already partly delivered from their mothers' wombs.''
Fr. Pavone applauded the actions of the U.S. cardinals and bishops in
supporting the ban. ''They are leading the charge against this abomination and
we must support them in any way we can."
On April 1st, a candlelight vigil in front of the White House saw
Bernard Cardinal Law, chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Pro-Life
Activities; James Cardinal Hickey and Auxiliary Bishop William Lori of
Washington, D.C.; and Bishop John Glynn of the U.S. Military Archdiocese lead
hundreds in prayer in an effort to change the President's mind.
As he has done on so many occasions, Clinton caved in to members of the
abortion lobby. They vote, while the unborn cannot.
A December poll showed that 71% of Americans support a ban on this grisly
practice, as do 65 % of pro-abortion voters.
Priests for Life is sending a letter to all of its supporters asking them to
sign a pledge condemning this procedure.
"We consistently oppose the destruction of all innocent human life,'' Fr.
Pavone writes. ''The continuation of partial-birth abortion as a legal act in
America, however, should be a serious wake-up call to all citizens. If we cannot
reject this as wrong, what will we reject? If this does not disturb us, is there
anything that will?"
