National Prayer Service to Welcome Key Religious Leaders

National Prayer Service to Welcome Key Religious Leaders

Priests for Life

January 18, 2013

Washington, DC. -- Fr. Frank Pavone, in his role as President of the National Pro-life Religious Council, announced today that at the National Memorial for the Preborn and their Mothers and Fathers, the premier national prayer event marking 40 years since Roe vs. Wade, the Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church will be in attendance.

"Archbishop Craig Bates has been a strong advocate for the unborn for many years," said Fr. Pavone. "The priests who serve in the Charismatic Episcopal Church, moreover, have consistently spoken up with clarity and courage against the scourge of abortion. We are grateful for their witness and honored by their commitment to join us in the National Prayer Service."

Also attending will be Dr. Robert H. Turrill, President and CEO of the Evangelical Church Alliance, which is one of America's oldest associations of independent evangelical pastors, chaplains, missionaries, and ministry leaders.

"As the sanctity of life is a paramount issue for all Americans including the pre-born, if a citizen does not have a right to life, all other rights are meaningless," Dr Turrill explained.

Speaking of the service, Dr. Turrill added, "I will be attending the pro-life prayer service Friday morning, January 25, sponsored by the organizers of the National Memorial for the Pre-born and Their Mothers and Fathers, and encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to do the same."

Of the role of evangelicals in the pro-life struggle, Fr. Pavone stated, "The pro-life cause would be far behind where it is now if it were not for the tireless commitment of our evangelical brothers and sisters. We are all honored by Dr. Turrill's participation in this momentous service on January 25."

Also attending will be a dozen bishops of the Anglican Church from across America, and many other religious leaders from denominations large and small.

The organizing committee of the service includes Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Church of Christ, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, Charismatic Episcopal Church, Anglicans, and Catholics.

"All in all, we expect clergy and attendees from denominations of every letter of the alphabet," Fr. Pavone said.

The motivation behind all that is happening on this day was summarized by the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, who stated, "The right to life is at the foundation of human existence. Life and death belong to God, not government. Christians must come together in defense of life, speaking out as our consciences and religious principles dictate. This is our duty before God and our right as citizens of this land. This freedom must be preserved. 'We must obey God, rather than men.' (Acts 5:29)"

"The freedom of religion -- in not only constitutional theory but also political practice -- is absolutely essential to the flourishing of our American experiment in ordered liberty. Without religious freedom, our experiment is deprived of desperately needed religious and moral resources. With religious freedom, our experiment is blessed with religious and moral resources that government and politics, on their own, cannot provide."
--Rev. Paul T. Stallsworth
Lifewatch/Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality, President Whiteville (NC) United Methodist Church, Pastor

The right to life is at the foundation of human existence. Life and death belong to God, not government. Christians must come together in defense of life, speaking out as our consciences and religious principles dictate. This is our duty before God and our right as citizens of this land. This freedom must be preserved. "We must obey God, rather than men.” Acts 5:29 --The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison President, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod

“Anglicans for Life will work with all Christians to help people see that the right to abortion is wrong and has harmed women, men and society. Protecting fundamental rights while standing against false 'rights' that are destructive is the responsibility of every Church-going person in America.”
-- Georgette Forney, President, Anglicans for Life

The service will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 am at DAR Constitution Hall 1776 D St., NW (18th and D St), Washington DC. For Catholics who wish to attend mass first, there will be a mass at the same location at 7:30am.

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