Statement Endorsing Montana Personhood Movement

Washington, D.C. (13 July 2009) – The following is a statement from Judie Brown, president of American Life League and member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, regarding the Montana Coalition for Life’s effort to gain legal recognition of human personhood – for the born and preborn.

"Recognition of human personhood is not a question of consensus, but a moral imperative grounded in the most basic truths of the Catholic faith.

"As the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the country, American Life League applauds Montana’s effort to protect the dignity of every human being as a person from his or her biological beginning. 

"This courageous effort is rooted in the core principles of Catholic social teaching. Galvanized by a vision of what Pope John Paul II called the 'culture of life,' Montanans are promoting the most fundamental human right – the recognition and protection of human personhood – a God-given right the Catholic Church has proclaimed and preached for 2,000 years, a God-given right countless Catholic martyrs have sacrificed their very lives to uphold.

"Montanans are not alone. They’re joined by Catholics and other members of the pro-life movement around the country who are hungry for truth and justice – hungry for the legal recognition of human personhood. Seventeen states – and counting – are working on initiatives that proclaim this fundamental human right. 

"Over the past 36 years, many in the pro-life movement have embraced a strategy of so-called pragmatism. However, many others, including those of us at American Life League, are horrified at its obvious failure and ongoing diminishing returns. Opponents will never give us the optimal climate for doing the right thing. Now is the time for the entire pro-life movement to regain the vision and passion that have inspired every human rights champion throughout history. It’s about human personhood."