Why does Holy Mother Church describe abortion as a “pre-eminent threat to human life and dignity?” She reminds us that abortion is the “deliberate killing” of “the weakest in our midst—innocent unborn children,” and is (like euthanasia) “gravely contrary to the moral law” and therefore a universally condemned, and intrinsically evil, act.. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2271)
EVANGELIUM VITAE (The Gospel of Life)
Pope John Paul II -”Every individual, precisely by reason of the mystery of the Word of God who was made flesh (cf. Jn 1:14), is entrusted to the maternal care of the Church. Therefore every threat to human dignity and life must necessarily be felt in the Church’s very heart; it cannot but affect her at the core of her faith in the Redemptive Incarnation of the Son of God, and engage her in her mission of proclaiming the Gospel of life in all the world and to every creature (cf. Mk 16:15).”
NC Abortion Statistics – In 2006, 32 in-state NC licensed facilities reported 35,088 abortions to the State Center for Health Statistics. This represents an increase of 8.5 percent from the number reported in 2005. Among 2006 abortions, only 1.0 percent were performed in hospital settings. The remaining 99.0 percent occurred in 17 non-hospital facilities, primarily free-standing clinics. The 35,088 abortions reported in North Carolina occurred in 14 counties. A total of 12,488 abortions or 35.6 percent of the state total occurred in Mecklenburg County, while 30.4 percent (10,526) occurred in Wake County, and 11.4 percent occurred in Guilford County.
Fact from the Elliot Institute– The web’s most complete source of information on the after effects of abortion and post-abortion healing. “83% of women surveyed who had had abortions said that they definitely would not have chosen abortion if they had been encouraged differently by the people who played a role in their abortion decision.”
USCCB: Women Deserve Better Than Abortion
USCCB Fact Sheet: Church Documents and Teaching The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the single largest abortion provider in the United States.
Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye noted that the Catholic Bishops of the United States have long been on record against federal funding of in vitro fertilization in humans for a number of reasons, including the abortifacient character of this procedure.
North Carolina Right to Life
Since the right to life is necessary in order for an individual to enjoy any other rights, we support the legal protection of all innocent human life from fertilization until natural death. We therefore oppose abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. We work within the law to change laws that infringe upon the God-given right to life recognized by the founders of this great nation.
Help is available
Birthchoice offers help and hope to any pregnant woman. “We believe it is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born.” Not ready to be pregnant? Birthchoice in Raleigh provides confidential services and a 24-hour helpline, 919-781-5433.
Gabriel Project‘s mission is to help women in crisis pregnancies chose life for their unborn child. Volunteers minister directly to women during and after pregnancy by providing emotional, spiritual, and material support. Contact: Darcy Holley, phone: 919-267-5774
Project Rachel assists women and men who have been wounded by abortion and seek truth and healing. For more information go call 919-852-1021, or e-mail projectrachel@nc.rr.com. All contacts are strictly confidential.
Helpful Websites
Pro-Life Raleigh Diocese
Conference of Catholic Bishops
Missionaries of the Eucharist
Crossroads
Family Life Respect Life, Archdiocese of New York
Justice For All
Students For Life (NCSU chapter)