Pro-life leaders condemn murder of abortionist

Rev. Frank Pavone, Rev. Patrick Mahoney, and Operation Rescue all condemned the apparent murder of famed abortionist Dr. George Tiller in Kansas.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

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Abortionist George Tiller was shot to death at around 10:00 a.m. local time at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita Kansas. A nationwide alert has gone out for his alleged assailant, who is described as a white male of 50 to 60 years of age, balding grey hair, 6’1” in height. He is thought to be driving a 1993 Ford Taurus sedan bearing the Kansas tag "225 BAB".

A political ally of Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Dr. Tiller was well-known for performing late-term abortions and was the subject of court proceedings. He was the object of violence in the past. In 1986, a bomb detonated on the roof of his Wichita abortion facility. No one was injured in the blast. In 1993, he was shot in both arms outside the facility but survived his wounds. Shelly Shannon, an abortion opponent, was tried and convicted of that crime.

Rev. Frank Pavone, a leading pro-life advocate, released a statement denouncing the apparent murder of Dr. Tiller. "I am saddened to hear of the killing of George Tiller this morning. At this point, we do not know the motives of this act, or who is behind it, whether an angry post- abortive man or woman, or a misguided activist, or an enemy within the abortion industry, or a political enemy frustrated with the way Tiller has escaped prosecution. We should not jump to conclusions or rush to judgment.

"But whatever the motives, we at Priests for Life continue to insist on a culture in which violence is never seen as the solution to any problem. Every life has to be protected, without regard to their age or views or actions." Troy Newman, of Operation Rescue – a group known for vocal opposition and rallies against abortion – also denounced the violent act. Said Newman, “We are shocked at this morning's disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down. Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller's family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ.” Another pro-life leader, Rev. Patrick Mahoney also condemned the violence against Dr. Tiller and will hold a press conference on the steps of the Supreme Court on June 1.

Dr. Tiller was found not guilty in March 2009 of 19 misdemeanor charges stemming from some abortions he performed at his Wichita clinic in 2003. He once served as a flight surgeon for the U.S. Navy.