LETTERS: PRO-LIFERS CONDEMN CLINIC BOMBING

To the editor:

Regarding the most recent outrage at the Alabama abortion clinic, all pro-life organizations and individuals oppose abortion-related violence and wish to express unequivocal condemnation of all such criminal behavior.

First and foremost, our prayers, thoughts and sympathies are with the victims and their families, friends and co-workers. As I am writing this letter, we still do not know who is responsible for this madness. All pro-life organizations condemn in the strongest terms this terrible act. Abortion-related violence has no place in the right-to-life movement or our country. All pro-life people will continue to only engage in peaceful, legal activities which protect human life.

Although we who support the right-to-life movement disagree with pro-choice advocates on the legalization of abortion on demand, we do find common ground in our conviction that violence related to abortion clinics, volunteers, personnel and clients is always wrong. This act of terrorism against the Alabama clinic is a travesty. The sanctity of all life is absolute, and people who commit vigilante acts such as these are very misguided. All pro-life people and organizations must continue to work in a peaceful, lawful manner toward solutions with the opposing side of the abortion debate. We will continue to speak out loudly and unmistakably to denounce such lawless violence. These actions do violence not only to their intended targets, but also to the pro-life cause. Such homicidal acts will only harden the hearts of those engaged in the cruel and unjust practice of abortion.

President Abraham Lincoln said that Americans must have a reverence for the law. The first purpose of all law is the defense of every human life. Brutal, bloody acts of terrorism will never help us achieve our goals of legal protection for all life from conception until natural death. We must pray for all of those involved in the tragedy of abortion.

CHRISTINE E. STEPHENS

Cape Girardeau