In my volunteer role as president of the International Right to Life Federation I have the distinct honor of representing pro-life advocacy around the world. The cause for life was significantly advanced with my recent trip to São Paulo, Brazil. With 23 million residents it is one of the world’s most populous cities.
I was joined by three of the Federation’s board members, Talmir Rodriques from Brazil, Alexandra Linder
from Germany and Lech Kowalewski from Poland.
The purpose of the three-day pro-life Congress was to create added visibility to the plight of unborn children and advance support for the life issues from fertilization to natural death. Attendees came from throughout Brazil and neighboring countries.
I shared how the reelection of Donald Trump is dramatically curtailing the spread of abortion around the world. The President’s endeavors of withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO) and dismantling the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) directly impacts Brazil’s and other countries’ efforts to protect the unborn.
President Trump’s actions will do more than stop the flow of billions of dollars to promote and provide worldwide abortions. His efforts to eliminate USAID will dismantle its expansive infrastructure that has been a permanent global tool of intimidation and coercion to goad countries into allowing abortion within their borders.
Poor nations in desperate need of potable water and efficient methods of farming are instead offered abortion for their children – the very future of their civilization.
The time surrounding our presentations was literally filled with nonstop media interviews involving Alexandra, Lech and myself. Talmir arranged time with television, radio, magazines, and online video providers which saturate the entire country of Brazill, some with audiences around the world.
We also spent valuable time with secular leaders, reinforcing the importance of pro-life education, the election of pro-life candidates and the advancement of life-affirming legislation.
I stressed to religious leaders the critical importance of dealing with the abortion issue in their churches. They must speak to the grave sin of abortion while sharing the spiritual healing that is made possible through the blood of Christ. A pastor’s silence reinforces in the minds of congregates that there is no redemption from the evil of abortion.
My experience with abortion’s impact on men was of particular interest to many. I was able to share with a psychologist named Cassia Portokey ways in which we help these hurting fathers through counseling.
Interest was expressed by one participant from Rio de Janeiro to establish peer-to-peer counseling with trained volunteers who would facilitate healing for grieving fathers.
Reaching beyond our borders is an imperative humanitarian effort. Through it we can equip our global pro-life colleagues to advocate pro-life values and elect supportive candidates who will advance life-affirming laws. Further, countless mothers can be spared from making the deadly choice of abortion while providing the emotional healing of mothers and fathers severely impacted by abortion.
Defending Life,
Brad Mattes,
President, Life Issues Institute
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