DCRTL: Calling the Church Leaders to Speak Up for the Unborn

This was printed as an op-ed piece in the TH Thursday. It was written by Steve Brody the executive director of DBQ Co. Right to Life.

Brody: Religious institutions need to take a stand
Posted: Thursday, September 15, 2011 12:00 am
BY STEVEN N. BRODY DUBUQUE COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE 6 comments
As a growing number of abortion facilities close across the country, and the abortion rate drops in countless numbers of states, we give thanks and appreciation to everyone responsible for making life possible for so many boys and girls.
The abortion industry is reeling from a number of states defunding this form of murder, and for the plethora of legislation enacted to protect the lives of the unborn.
But don't think that the abortion industry is going away quietly.
Planned Parenthood's legal department is working overtime as it files lawsuits challenging the legality and constitutionality of so many pro-life bills signed into law. Bills such as parental consent, viewing of an ultrasound, and regulating abortion facilities as any other medical facility, are seen as extreme and intimidation to the pro-abortion community.
Don't forget about the brave new world of webcam abortions pioneered in Iowa and coming soon to your local Planned Parenthood as a means of dealing with a nurse and doctor shortage willing to work in such facilities.
Here in Dubuque, Planned Parenthood conducted a blatant act of deception in purchasing a building from DuTrac Community Credit Union using the unassuming name of Hillcrest Development LLC. The true identity of the buyer was not revealed until the deal was done.
Planned Parenthood's Marketing Director Marsha Dorhout referred to Hillcrest Development LLC as a "straw or front company," and Planned Parenthood's CEO Jill June referred to this deception as a "standard business transaction" ("Clinic sale a quandary for DuTrac," TH, Aug. 31). This comes courtesy of the same organization that promotes itself as factual, accurate, open and honest.
Now more than ever, the pro-life momentum must continue, and it is incumbent upon the faith community to step up as a united front to promote not only the sanctity of life, but basic tenets of truth and honesty.
If a church leader who claims to be the moral authority refuses to speak up for the rights of the unborn, then his or her congregation will not care either.
To the number of Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Evangelical and non-denominational churches that support the unborn, our thanks and gratitude go out to you. To the number of churches in Dubuque that remain silent, or worse, support the killing of the unborn, shame on you.
For example, the denomination of clergy that signed onto a letter endorsing abortion funding in Obamacare included the American Baptist Churches, Church of the Brethren, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, and others. The letter actually stated that additional restrictions on abortion funding constituted a "serious moral injustice."
If you attend church that is connected with these denominations, ask your pastor why they do not support the sanctity of life, and how the killing of the unborn does not conflict with Biblical teachings and truths.
We need to be in prayer for the conversion of these church leaders to the pro-life cause. If they will preach the importance of respecting unborn life to their congregations, we will continue to bring the darkness into the light, and be one step closer to ending abortion.
Brody has been executive director of Dubuque County Right to Life, whose offices are at 2205 Carter Road, since 2008. His email address isdcrtl@dcrtl.org.