Denver Archbishop, Michigan couple to be honored for pro-life work

Washington D.C., Apr 10, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The National Right to Life Educational Trust recently announced that the group plans to honor Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, and Michigan couple, Richard and Helen DeVos at its ‘Proudly Pro-Life’ awards dinner in the nation’s capital on April 20^th.

Archbishop Chaput, the group said, “is one of the leading clerical voices in defense of unborn children in the United States. His unflinching advocacy for the unborn has inspired many others among the clergy and laity to also speak out for Life.”

Likewise, the National Right to Life (NTRL) called the Honorable Richard DeVos, and his wife, Helen, “a force behind pro-life gains in America in recent years… both individually and through The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation.”

The DeVos’, the group stated, “have generously supported hospitals, colleges, and Christian and pro-life causes,” and “have made unborn children a major focus of their philanthropy.”

Our movement and our nation are stronger, and many more children are alive today, because of their deep dedication and generosity to the cause of Life.”

The NRTL also praised Archbishop Chaput, saying that, “The Church’s call to a reverence for human life is a vital part of Archbishop Chaput’s work.”

They cited an article in the New York Times last year in which the Archbishop wrote that, “We see abortion as a matter of civil rights and human dignity, not simply as a matter of religious teaching. We are doubly unfaithful – both to our religious convictions and to our democratic responsibilities – if we fail to support the right to life of the unborn child . . . The ‘choice’ in abortion always involves the choice to end the life of an unborn human being.”

In the past the ‘Proudly Pro-Life’ awards have honored Focus on the Family's James Dobson; Robert Casey, the late governor of Pennsylvania; actor-lawyer Ben Stein; and actress Jennifer O'Neill.

The first award, given 12 years ago, was presented to the late Cardinal John O’Connor, Archbishop of New York.