WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Frank Pavone, in his role as President of the National Pro-life Religious Council, announced today that at the National Memorial for the Preborn and their Mothers and Fathers, the premier national prayer event marking 40 years since Roe vs. Wade, the Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church will be in attendance.
"Archbishop Craig Bates has been a strong advocate for the unborn for many years," said Fr. Pavone. "The priests who serve in the Charismatic Episcopal Church, moreover, have consistently spoken up with clarity and courage against the scourge of abortion. We are grateful for their witness and honored by their commitment to join us in the National Prayer Service."
Also attending will be Dr. Robert H. Turrill, President and CEO of the Evangelical Church Alliance, which is one of America's oldest associations of independent evangelical pastors, chaplains, missionaries, and ministry leaders.
"As the sanctity of life is a paramount issue for all Americans including the pre-born, if a citizen does not have a right to life, all other rights are meaningless," Dr Turrill explained.
Speaking of the service, Dr. Turrill added, "I will be attending the pro-life prayer service Friday morning, January 25, sponsored by the organizers of the National Memorial for the Pre-born and Their Mothers and Fathers, and encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to do the same."
Of the role of evangelicals in the pro-life struggle, Fr. Pavone stated, "The pro-life cause would be far behind where it is now if it were not for the tireless commitment of our evangelical brothers and sisters. We are all honored by Dr. Turrill's participation in this momentous service on January 25."
Also attending will be a dozen bishops of the Anglican Church from across America, and many other religious leaders from denominations large and small.
The organizing committee of the service includes Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Church of Christ, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, Charismatic Episcopal Church, Anglicans, and Catholics.
"All in all, we expect clergy and attendees from denominations of every letter of the alphabet," Fr. Pavone said.
The motivation behind all that is happening on this day was summarized by the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, who stated, "The right to life is at the foundation of human existence. Life and death belong to God, not government. Christians must come together in defense of life, speaking out as our consciences and religious principles dictate. This is our duty before God and our right as citizens of this land. This freedom must be preserved. 'We must obey God, rather than men.' (Acts 5:29)"
The service will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 am at DAR Constitution Hall 1776 D St., NW (18th and D St), Washington DC. For Catholics who wish to attend mass first, there will be a mass at the same location at 7:30am.
