Pro-Life Groups Celebrate Electi

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 20, 2005

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life groups in the United States celebrated the election of German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new leader of the Catholic Church. They said the new Pope Benedict XVI will continue the strong pro-life stances Pope John Paul lI took on key issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research.

Father Frank Pavone, the director of Priests for Life, says he is "delighted" at the name of the new pontiff.

"For decades, he has been a strong voice in favor of life, clearly articulating the Church's teachings," Pavone said.

"We look forward to working together with and under the leadership of the new Pope to advance the Culture of Life," Pavone added.

Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, also recognized the new pope's strong pro-life commitment.

"We thankfully recognize the staunch pro-life commitment of Cardinal Ratzinger during the whole of his episcopacy and we are confident that as Pope Benedict XVI, he will continue his strong defense of the Church's teaching on the sanctity of human life," Father Euteneuer said.

"Human Life International and its worldwide network enthusiastically offer the full extent of its talents and resources to our new pope," Euteneuer added.

Pavone pointed out that Pope Benedict XVI "has explained how the Church must be the conscience of the state."

He pointed to comments Cardinal Ratzinger made saying the state should not "grant to some the power to violate others' fundamental right to life" because it "contradicts the democratic ideal to which it continues to appeal and undermines the very foundations on which it is built."

"By allowing the rights of the weakest to be violated, the State also allows the law of force to prevail over the force of law," Ratzinger said.

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