It has been a great week for the Pro-Life movement in Lapeer and St. Clair Counties. Last week the St. Clair County Right To Life held their Annual Banquet. Clark Forsythe, Senior Counsel for AMERICANS UNITED FOR LIFE, was the guest speaker. He did a great job of encouraging us to keep telling the story that life begins at conception and ends at natural death. This fact is deeply rooted in American principles, culture and history.The keynote speaker last evening at the Lapeer County Focus on Life dinner was Fr. John Riccardo. While he discussed the evils of abortion, he also emphasized God’s forgiveness for those who have had this procedure. He said that as bad as abortion is, God forgives. In his talk he repeatedly said, “Begin Again!”
There are encouraging signs in the pro-life movement. Both Mr. Forsythe and Fr. Riccardo pointed out that the number of abortions are down and that significant pro-life legislation is being passed in state legislatures. Gallop poll “self-identification” surveys indicate more than 50% of citizens say they are pro-life. This percentage is going up every year.
It has been my long-standing position that life begins at conception. Abortion is wrong. It is my personal conviction that we should stand by women who face an unplanned pregnancy and encourage them to choose life. I applaud our local RTL chapters and the pregnancy care centers in Lapeer and St. Clair Counties who follow through in their beliefs that life is precious.
I am thankful that many women who experience unplanned pregnancies choose adoption over abortion. Every effort should be made by state policy makers and social agencies to make adoption as easy and affordable as possible.
On a very personal level, Carol and I are truly blessed to have experienced two adoptions in our family. We adopted our son Jim in 1965. Our daughter and son-in-law adopted their daughter seven years ago. Both have brought tremendous joy to our family. We will be forever grateful to the two birth mothers who chose life.
