Proclamation of Appreciation

WHEREAS His Holiness Pope John Paul II has continually provided outstanding international leadership in defense of innocent human life, and

WHEREAS he has set forth in his 11th Encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), a challenge to people of all nations, races, and faiths to take steps toward mobilizing a "new culture of life" to counter the disintegrating moral fabric of society as witnessed by permissive legislation which refuses to "punish these practices against life" and by "certain sectors of the medical profession" which "are increasingly willing to carry out these acts against the person," and

WHEREAS the Gospel of Life presents a prophetic and clear message of the importance of a respect for life, stating in part, "Not only is the fact of the destruction of so many human lives still to be born or in the final stage extremely grave and disturbing, but no less disturbing is the fact that conscience itself, darkened as it were by such widespread conditioning, is finding it increasingly difficult to distinguish between good and evil in what concerns the basic value of human life," and

WHEREAS His Holiness has stated clearly that the law cannot give anyone a "right" to destroy innocent human life, saying, "To claim the right to abortion, infanticide and euthanasia, and to recognize that right in law, means to attribute to human freedom a perverse and evil significance: that of an absolute power over others and against others. This is the death of true freedom," and

WHEREAS he has proclaimed the absolute evil of abortion and euthanasia, stating, "I confirm that the direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral," and, "I confirm that euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God," and

WHEREAS he has expressed deep compassion for women who have experienced the personal tragedy of abortion, saying, "The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope," and, "With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life."

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the National Right to Life Committee, its Board of Directors, its Affiliates, and its Members recognize the outstanding leadership and service of His Holiness, John Paul II in defense of innocent human life, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that in accordance with the National Right to Life Committee's purposes:

1.) To promote respect for the worth and dignity of all human life, including the life of the unborn child from the moment of conception, and

2.) To promote, encourage and sponsor such amendatory and statutory measures which will provide protection for all human life before and after birth, particularly for the defenseless, the incompetent, and the impaired and the incapacitated.

The National Right to Life Committee rejoices at the strong and compelling message in support for the dignity and worth of human life written by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the National Right to Life Committee formally thanks His Holiness for the clearly articulated message of Evangelium Vitae. It is both a prophetic warning to the world concerning its loss of respect for human life as well as heralding of hope for the future if we unite and mobilize as one people to create a "new culture of life."

Presented this day

April 24, 1996