For Immediate Release
January 18, 2001
San Clemente, CA - The California-based International
Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (ICCEC), today announced the
formation of CEC Priests for Life, a new association of priests, deacons and
laity dedicated to ending abortion in American and around the world.
Founded in 1992, the ICCEC is rooted in the pro-life movement.
Founding Bishop Randolph Adler and many priests in the late ‘80’s and early 90’s
publicly voiced their concern for the lives of the unborn by participating in
prayer and ministry activities outside of abortion clinics.
"The vision of the ICCEC is to make visible the void which has
oftentimes been a church reluctant to speak on behalf of the millions of
innocents who have no voice in this culture," said Archbishop Adler. "The Lord
has raised up the men and women in our church communion to be a prophetic voice
to the world and to come against our culture of death. CEC Priests for Life will
take action in the parochial, social, and political arenas to restore the
dignity of human life."
CEC Priests for Life will provide resources for ICCEC churches
and the entire Christian community encouraging clergy, lay people and young
people to participate in voting and lobbying activities as well as recruiting
new political leaders. Among its many activities, CEC Priests for Life will hold
conferences and training camps to teach its leaders the history, theology and
current application of Christian activism and leadership in the cultural and
political realm.
"The world has for all intents and purposes taken away the
humanity of unborn children," said Fr. Terry Gensemer, Director of CEC Priests
for Life. "Only God is able to truly affirm their humanity as His image-bearers.
But, the Church is obligated to proclaim the truth of the gospel which includes
the protection of the unborn and sounding an alarm for a nation that is in peril
of losing its soul."
The first national gathering of CEC Priests for Life will take
place this Monday, January 22, 2001 in Washington, D.C. as a large number of CEC
Clergy and laity will join in the annual March for Life to protest the Roe vs.
Wade Supreme Court decision.