The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis released a joint statement Oct. 6 denouncing Planned Parenthood’s purported harvesting of organs from aborted babies for medical research.
The statement from Synod President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison and Archbishop Robert J. Carlson expresses the shared concerns of the LCMS and the Archdiocese following Planned Parenthood’s disturbing practices being revealed by a series of undercover videos made by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), a pro-life group.
In addition to speaking out against Planned Parenthood’s purported sales of aborted baby body parts and tissues, the joint statement also speaks of both churches’ commitment to provide alternatives to Planned Parenthood.
“Together, we stand firm and repeat that every human life is worthy of dignity and respect,” the statement reads. “We affirm our continued commitment to offer resources to help parents of any faith background who are in need of medical, financial or social-service assistance both during pregnancy and after. We stand ready to assist any parent who wishes to make an adoption plan for their child.”
The statement also extends Christ’s mercy and forgiveness for men and women who suffer after having participated in an abortion:
“Our commitment is to all life in all its stages from conception to natural death. For those men and women who participated in an abortion, we extend to you the words of Jesus: ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden’ (Matt. 11:28), and we invite you to experience hope and healing from your experience.”
The statement draws attention to the grave implications of the CMP videos. It also keeps the larger issue of abortion in the public conscience, as more than 57 million unborn children have been lost to abortion in the United States since 1973.
Download and read official statement >>________________________________________
Life Resources
• LCMS Life Ministry — lcms.org/life
• LCMS Ultrasound Education Project — Learn more and order curriculum via email
• Lutherans For Life — lutheransforlife.org
• Word of Hope (for people who seek healing from a past abortion experience) — word-of-hope.org or 888-217-8679
• Reporter Online — “Former Iowa webcam-abortion clinic now pro-life health center”
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