JOINT STATEMENT ON

ABORTION CLINIC VIOLENCE

 

January 18, 1995

     Since the United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade on January 22, 1973, nearly 34,000,000 unborn children have perished at the hands of abortionists. In the decades following this decision, innumerable pro-life citizens have worked tirelessly and peacefully to end the violence of abortion. Most regrettably, in the face of continual frustrations arising from the difficulty in changing the present system of abortion on demand, our nation is now seeing a rise of violence under the guise of pro-life convictions. Such violence is unquestionable antagonistic to the undergirding principles of the pro-life movement. Therefore, the persons and organizations subscribed below believe it is important to reaffirm and rededicate themselves to the following life affirming principles:

• Every human being is created in the image of God.
   
• All human beings are endowed by their Creator with an unalienable right to life from conception until natural death.
   
• Pro-life opposition to abortion is rooted in an unwavering belief in the inherent worth and dignity of the life of every human being.
   
• Regardless of the delays, frustrations, obstacles, and setbacks which may occur in the pursuit of justice for the unborn, pro-lifers must resist any temptation to return evil for evil, and we must not grow weary in doing good.
   
• No individual or groups should pursue public justice through acts of personal vengeance.
   
• It is the responsibility of pro-life leaders to publicly an unequivocally condemn any an all acts of violence of abortion, and those individuals and groups whose names are subscribed below do hereby condemn and renounce such violence.
   
• The pro-life movement should recommit itself to the task of providing meaningful, practical, loving help to women and children facing pregnancy-related crises; to tirelessly advocating for justice for the unborn in the state houses and courthouses of our nation; to educating the public to the fact that abortion kills children and hurts women; and to carrying our peaceful, non-violent protests against the continuing injustice of abortion.

     Subscribed to and affirmed this 18th day of January, 1995, by:

American Association of Christian Schools
Americans for Truth
Americans United for Life
Archdiocese of Miami
Care Net
Christian Coalition of Florida
Clearwater Christian College
Coral Ridge Ministries
Concerned Women of America
Diocese of Orlando
Diocese of Palm Beach
Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Diocese of St. Augustine
Diocese of St. Petersburg
Diocese of Venice
Eagle Forum of Florida
Feminists for Life of America
Florida Baptist Association
Florida Baptist Convention
Florida Catholic Conference
Florida Council of Catholic Women
Florida Family Council
Florida Human Life International
Florida Pro Family Forum
Foundation for Reformation
Frontline Outreach
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at FSU
Knights of Columbus
Lawyers for Life
Liberty Counsel
Life Education & Resource Network (LEARN)
Lifewatch
Ligonier Ministries
Lutherans for Life
Moms for Life
North Florida Presbyterians Prolife
Pregnancy Center of Pinellas County
Reformed Theological Seminary
Republican National Coalition for Life
Tallahassee Pastoral Council
Task Force of United Methodists on Abortion & Sexuality