Knights of Columbus Council 7259 at 211 Irwin Drive PO Box 37, Newton Grove, NC 28366 US - Knights of Columbus Leader Calls Abortion "A Stain on Our Nation"

New Haven — The following statement was issued by Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, regarding the 30th year of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade abortion decision:

"This year, on Jan. 22, we note with great sadness, but greater determination, the 30th year of legalized abortion on demand in the United States.

"For 30 years, abortion has been a stain on our nation; a deep wound in our nation's soul. Abortion is the negation of our nation's commitment to human rights and the equal dignity of every individual. It is a tragedy that sets women against their own children. This is a choice no woman should ever have to make. This is a choice no society should tolerate.

"Our society can, and must, do better to address the needs of women, rather than leaving them and their children to the violence of abortion. Young people, especially, understand this. Abortion holds less and less appeal for the generation raised under Roe v. Wade. More and more young people identify themselves as pro-life and they are renewing the ranks of the pro-life movement The abortion rate is at its lowest since the decision was first handed down, due to the decline in abortion among younger women. Young people who grew up under Roe v. Wade have seen the damage wrought by abortion and they demand better.

"As we note this 30th year of abortion on demand, we are confident of the day when we will instead celebrate its end, when the law will no longer protect the violence of abortion, but will instead protect the lives and dignity of both women and their unborn children."

With more than 1.6 million members throughout North America and elsewhere, the Knights is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. In 2001 members reported raising and contributing to charity a record $125 million and volunteering a record 58.9 million hours of service. Included in that figure is approximately $3.8 million raised and distributed to pro-life groups.

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