OGA09004
June 5, 2009

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) officials issue statement in wake of Tiller death

“There is no place in debate for a murder such as Dr. Tiller’s”

For more information, contact Sharon Youngs at (502) 569-5750.

Wichita, Kan. — Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) officials issued a statement on June 4, 2009, in the wake of the shooting death of Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, Kan., on May 31, 2009.

The statement was signed by Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Council.

The full text of the statement:

The murder of Dr. George Tiller on May 31st as he stood in the foyer of Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, to greet those who were entering to worship God is nothing less than abhorrent.

On behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), we offer our deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Tiller and to our faith partners in the congregation of the Reformation Lutheran Church.

The whole of our society is damaged when any one person engages in rhetoric or acts of violence. The entire Christian Church is hurt whenever hatred pushes its way into the sanctuaries of worship.

On the issue of abortion, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has consistently called for every effort to be made to reduce unwanted pregnancies and to work toward a day when abortions would not be deemed necessary. It is also a matter of policy that in the case of late-term abortions, where the baby appears to be viable, every effort should be made to preserve the life of the child.

The PC(USA) has steadfastly sought to protect pregnant women, in community with fathers, pastors, congregations and physicians, as the moral agents to face the profound decisions of pregnancy within the legal parameters of their state.

On the larger issue of resorting to violence, the General Assembly has called upon all people to engage in levels of discourse on issues such as this in a way that allows people to relate to each other in respect. There is no place in debate for a murder such as Dr. Tiller’s. Our churches, our streets, our homes, and our businesses should all be sanctuaries of peace.

We urge law enforcement agencies charged with providing for the safety of our citizens to renew their vigilance against such acts of terror, especially in cases where individuals have previous records of violent activity against women’s health clinics. We grieve with all of those who have been torn by Dr. Tiller’s death and for those affected by the violence.

We join you in asking God’s blessing in God’s continued work of turning death into life, and tragedy into celebration.