Matt C. Abbott
Priest: peacefully blocking abortion mill access 'entirely justified'
By Matt C. Abbott
On May 13, ten people were arrested for blocking the entrance to a Louisville abortion mill. Click here for the story.
I asked Father Shenan J. Boquet (pictured below), president of Human Life International, to comment on this development. His response is as follows:
May 31, 2017
On May 13, ten people were arrested for blocking the entrance to a Louisville abortion mill. Click here for the story.
I asked Father Shenan J. Boquet (pictured below), president of Human Life International, to comment on this development. His response is as follows:
Mr. Thomas and his colleagues are entirely justified in peacefully blocking access to an abortion mill. A nonviolent response such as this to the extreme and absolutely immoral violence of abortion is very Christian, and very necessary. We applaud their efforts and hope this event attracts the attention it deserves.I see this as a valid part of the overall pro-life effort, which includes prayerful witness outside of abortion mills, political engagement in law and policy, public demonstrations such as marches, providing care and support for expectant mothers in need, and engaging the culture at the intellectual and popular levels, identifying and training leaders who can carry the baton for life and family further out into the world. This is the work that HLI's missionaries are engaged in every day.
Romans Chapter 12 is our guide in prayerfully discerning how each of us can serve. If we are teachers, let us teach about the value of each life. If we are called to exhort, let us exhort. Those who are called to nonviolent resistance must stand in the breach to defend the defenseless, and must be prepared for the consequences of the unjust laws that protect the gruesome injustice of abortion. Each must serve in this battle according to his gifts and what he is called to do in his own place and time.
We must remember, however, that in our zeal we must still maintain love and prudence, as we are called by Christ – even those who participate in the evil of abortion. In this case, one can love them by at least trying to stop them from their participation in evil, and by witnessing peacefully to them. And do not forget prudence – for example, those with families must ensure that their families are cared for, which may mean you find other ways to support this or other pro-life efforts.
Some of you [supporters of CPLS] may be aware that your CPLS director was a leader of the rescue movement from 1978 through 1995. Marriage came and then three children – but I have always believed that nonviolent direct action to defend the unborn is a true response to the plight of human beings scheduled to be executed.The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
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