It would be easier to forget what we have seen, to erase from our memories and our minds what we have heard. But the statements and actions of Planned Parenthood medical directors and technicians, captured on film and released by the Center for Medical Progress, are the kind we will not forget, the kind that cannot be unseen and unheard.
Like millions of Americans, including those in the Roman Catholic Church and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, we have been shaken to the core by what we have witnessed: intact babies, at times still alive, having their body parts harvested as a commodity. We are shocked at the image of tiny hands and feet seen in a glass pie plate. We are horrified at what we have seen and heard. Such actions and attitudes have no place in our society.
While offensive, the degradation of the bodies of these infant human beings is unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg. Those fetal tissue and organs are only available for sale because they are being killed through abortion. Over 57 million unborn children have been lost to abortion in our nation since 1973.
The toll of these lives lost is enormous. We are missing sons and daughters, siblings, spouses, coaches, scholars, mentors and friends.
This loss is symptomatic of a loss of respect for human life in our society today. In so many ways, our culture seeks to deny the humanity of the unborn, of the elderly or of someone with a disability.
Together, we stand firm and repeat that every human life is worthy of dignity and respect. 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.
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 Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis
The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Download Statement
Print page
I applaud the march against abortion in the fight for the unborn. I think it important to take every opportunity we can to join our voice together with other voices against the unmitigated murder of our babies.
Although, the last paragraph of this press release is bothersome. I believe it would be better written if the entire last paragraph was cut out. For we don’t agree with the Roman Catholic Church on the teaching of Justification. It is a felicitous inconsistency should a parishioner of an RC church solely trust in Christ’s work for their justification rather than believe that they must do works in addition to Christ’s work to win their justification.
Please consider revising this article.
Yet to Come…
“Why should I go to your abortion clinic, when this other abortion clinic will pay me $200?”
Thank you for taking a stand and speaking out for the unborn.
Why the silence on abortion in Isreal where their government fully funds abortion up until the day of conception. And we send the Israeli government 3 billion a year! I would like to see some statement on this.
Or the silence on abortions in Germany, where late-term abortions can also be done, covered by public health insurance? Will there be pro-life demonstrations held and joint statements issued by LCMS Lutherans and others during the Reformation quincentennial activities in Wittenberg? Or would that be too much chutzpah?
I am thankful for the faithful stance our Synod has taken in defense of human life and against the evil of abortion.
My only question here is why the need to issue a joint statement with Archbishop Robert Carlson. All that one needs to do is a quick Google search on Carlson’s name to find out that he and his diocese are mired in scandal, and there is a lawsuit against them for crimes against children. Carlson has been accused of covering up these crimes as well as witness tampering. Carlson’s own deposition is revealing as well: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/archbishop-carlson-strategic-amnesia-philip-lawler/
Carlson is in a different church than we are, but I believe we should be calling for his repentance, not engaging in any joint ventures with him (1 Cor 5:11). So far he refuses to repent or admit wrongdoing.
While I don’t approve of abortion, I see no wrong in selling body parts of the aborted child used for research. This is saving many lives!
Henry C. Saeger: “This is saving many lives!”
57 million butchered children would disagee!!