For immediate release
May 10, 2007

Contact: Peggy Hamill, State Director, (262) 796-1111, cell: (414) 416-0489
Marc Tuttle, Communications Director, (262) 796-1111, cell: (262) 408-0506

All Christians should heed Pope Benedict XVI’s words on abortion regardless of denomination, says Pro-Life Wisconsin

Brookfield, Wis. – Yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI reiterated the Catholic Church’s position that support of abortion is gravely evil, and that the penalty for supporting abortion is excommunication. Commenting on the recent threat of excommunication issued by Mexican Bishops to those who voted in favor of legalizing abortion, the Pope took the opportunity to point out to Christians across the world that public support for abortion and Christianity are simply incompatible.

Pro-Life Wisconsin is hopeful that Christian leaders like the Pope are beginning to address the grave inconsistency in our society, where Christians recognize the evil of abortion, and yet tolerate it and sometimes even support it. In a nation where over 75% of the population claims to be Christian, legalized abortion represents an obvious disconnect between religious belief and public morality. Abortion can only be addressed in America through strong Christian leadership.

“Christianity in America is a sleeping giant, long in need of strong leaders to wake us up,” said Pro-Life Wisconsin State Director Peggy Hamill. “We hope and pray daily that the Christian majority in this country will start to listen to leaders like Pope Benedict XVI. The message is clear: you can’t claim to follow Christ while letting our tiniest brothers and sisters perish by the millions. Whether your talking about surgical or chemical abortion, you can’t be Christian and pro-abortion,” said Hamill.

While Pope Benedict XVI spoke specifically to Catholics, repeating that support of abortion is so egregious that unrepentant political supporters of abortion should not receive Communion, the same principle applies to other Christians, as well. Abortion is a sin. If someone claims to follow Christ while supporting abortion, they are living a lie.

“A lot of politicians claim to be Christians,” said Hamill. “At the same time they work to expand funding for family planning clinics, promote abortion-causing birth control and see nothing wrong with human cloning or embryonic stem cell research. Their faith teaches them that all of these things are wrong, but they try to keep their faith locked up behind church doors,” stated Hamill.

As a Christian organization, Pro-Life Wisconsin is continually reaching out to Christians of all denominations, equipping them to take a solid pro-life stand on life issues. Pro-Life Wisconsin is a voice in Madison for all pro-lifers who take a no compromise, no exceptions, total protection position on pro-life legislation. To find out more about Pro-Life Wisconsin or to schedule an interview, please call our state office, (262) 796-1111 or visit our Web site, www.prolifewisconsin.org.

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