By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
In stark contrast to his predecessor who always sent an encouraging message to participants in the annual March for Life, the new occupant of the White House greeted marchers with only silence this year.
It was not until late yesterday afternoon that President Obama issued the following statement to reporters:
“On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.
“While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.
“On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.”
According to his aides, President Obama had planned to commemorate the Roe v. Wade anniversary by issuing an executive order reversing the Mexico City policy, which forbids overseas agencies from using taxpayer money to promote abortion overseas.
“While we memorialized the 50 million unborn Americans whose lives have been sacrificed on the altar of ‘choice,’ the White House had considered using this solemn anniversary to invite the culture of death back into U.S. foreign policy,” said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.
“To many of us, that seemed like a cruel irony, considering that Obama had also planned to sign a series of anti-interrogation orders. How could he eliminate torture for terrorists while in the same breath demanding that we export the torture of the unborn?”
Perkins said a handful of Christian news outlets were reporting that President Obama postponed the repeal in an attempt to find some middle ground with pro-lifers, but the White House press office did not return his calls for confirmation.
However, aides have been saying for quite some time that the new President fully intends to repeal the policy.
“If this is an olive branch, we’d like to see the olive tree,” Perkins said. “Regardless of whether the order takes effect today or tomorrow, granting the unborn a 24-hour reprieve is not enough. It may be an extra day of life, but these children deserve a full life, welcomed into the world and protected under our laws.”
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly/Women of Grace. http://www.womenofgrace.com
