Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life Following is the text of a full-page ad which Priests for Life placed in the New York Times on Friday, July 21, 2000. As this election season intensifies, we consider it critical to do our part to bring these documents to the attention of American voters, candidates, and all who hold elected office, no matter what their religious affiliation. Every Christian and every American is called to respect life.
Abortion is a violent act which destroys a human being.
We call upon those who do not admit this to demonstrate the contrary, and upon those who do admit it but would still defend it to demonstrate why legalized abortion does not violate our nation s recognition of the unalienable right to life and of equality before the law. We are not speaking here about imposing religious beliefs by law, but rather about defending a value which is as fundamental to the state as it is to the Church. Such a prohibition does not violate the separation of Church and State. We call on them to reflect on the grave contradiction of assuming public roles and presenting themselves as credible Catholics when their actions on fundamental issues of human life are not in agreement with Church teaching. We stand ready to help Christians and all Americans to understand and follow these principles.