From Archbishop Donoghue

Remarks at the Georgia State Capitol
January 22, 1995
+

[See Georgia Bulletin account]

Dear Friends,

We have gathered here today for one purpose - no matter our particular faith, no matter our background or social status - no matter our age, color, creed or profession - we have gathered on the steps of this government building, drawn together as one body of citizens, American citizens, to justly proclaim our grievance, and to call upon all law-makers, at every level of the government, to listen to our complaint, and to be moved by our demand.

And our demand is not based alone on what we feel today, nor does it spring solely from the infamous court decision whose anniversary we mark.

Rather, our demand springs from the fundamental document calling this great nation into being, the Declaration of Independence, which declares inclusively the foundation stones upon which American life and culture must stand, if it is to perdure - if it is to succeed - if it is to remain the great nation that it has been.

And these great rocks of inclusion, which hold up our government, assert, among other things,

that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights . . . life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness . . . and to secure these rights, governments are instituted deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”

We are hear to witness to this nation that we believe in the Creator - that we believe these rights cannot be taken away by governments or despots - that with the fathers of our country, we believe that life is the first of these rights - not liberty, not the pursuit of happiness, but life - for without the guarantee of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness become the playthings of tyrants and opportunists, and cease to be the property of the people.

And furthermore, we call upon all, the government and the citizens, to witness our rejection of those laws which contravene our faith and undermine our personal security - and if those who favor these laws of death hide behind numbers or popular opinion, and declare that the right to murder is now a power derived from the consent of American citizens - then no matter the numbers, the opinions, and the cost to ourselves - we say, with every degree of affirmation that springs from our faith and our true patriotism - we do not consent to murder - we do not consent to expediency - we do not consent to the abortion industry which preys upon human misfortune - we do not consent, and we will never consent.

And so, we say to every legislator, we say to every leader of the so-called pro-choice movement, we say to fair-thinking men and women everywhere and of every faith and culture - join us, stand up for the truth, stand up for the benevolent ideals which brought this great country into being - declare with us, and with those noble spirits who framed our Declaration of Independence that this madness must end - if not today, then tomorrow - if not tomorrow then the next day, and if not the next day, let us promise as one, that we will go on declaring for life until there is no life left in us with which to fight.

Finally, we pray that the God of creation may accept our earnest undertaking, and open the hearts and minds of those who oppose us, so that together, we might enjoy again civil peace, and the legacy willed to us by our forefathers - liberty, and justice for all.

+