Abortionists Alarmed at Pro-Life Victories (1 October 2017)

INTERNATIONAL LIFE CHAINS PROCLAIM RIGHT TO LIFE OF THE PRE-BORN

Global pro-abortionists proclaimed 28 September as an annual International Safe Abortion Day. In contrast to the 1 600 Life Chains held globally on, or near, to 1 October, pro-abortionists could only muster a meagre 14 protests on 28 September. In addition to the Life Chains, 375 40 Days for Life Campaigns have been organised in 24 different countries, from 27 September to 5 November, including outside the Marie Stopes abortuary in Cape Town. At the time of writing this report (1 October), 22 babies have been saved from abortion during these global 40 Days for Life campaigns.

“It is interesting to note that abortionists are alarmed at pro-life victories gained in the last year,” says Taryn Lourens, International Co-ordinator of the Christian Action Network. “The main concern highlighted on the International Safe Abortion Day website was US President Trump’s outlawing of American tax funds being used for abortions overseas (known as the Global Gag Rule). They also mention the ‘discouraging geo-political context’ in which they conduct their campaigns.

“To quote their 2017 Campaign Toolkit:‘We have been witnessing a number of alarming rollbacks regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights, not least of which is the reinstatement and expansion of the Global Gag Rule. These rollbacks, on top of already existing restrictions, pose very real threats to our communities, endangering the health and lives and violating the human rights of millions of individuals worldwide.’In stark contrast to this hypocritical pro-abortion rhetoric, pro-lifers proclaim that no abortion is ever safe – a helpless pre-born baby is killed, and the mother is often physically, but always psychologically, wounded (as numerous peer-reviewed studies on Post Abortion Syndrome testify). Abortion is also the violation of the most basic Constitutional right – the Right to Life of innocent and defenceless citizens – the pre-born.”

Up to a million Christians worldwide took part in the various Life Chains this 1 October, International Life Chain Sunday. A National March for Life, organised by the National Alliance for Life, took place in Umhlanga, Durban, with about 800 marching.

About 170 Christians formed a Life Chain to proclaim the sanctity of life in Cape Town today. The Life Chain inCape Town took place on the centre island ofBuitengracht Street (near the entrance to the Waterfront). Life Chains also took place in 3 other cities in South Africa: Tembisa, Bloemfontein and East London (coming up on 7 October).

The Life Chain is an international prayer rally and peaceful placard protest against the abortion holocaust.  

The Christian Action Network estimates the number of babies killed by legal abortions since 1997 to be well over 1 400 000. The Christian Action Network believes that the number of legal abortions is higher than the official amount - due to outstanding statistics from some provinces in previous years and a possible failure of some hospital officials to accurately record abortions in state hospitals.

Illegal abortionists operate with impunity in virtually every city and town in South Africa - due to the failure of police and city officials to investigate or make any arrests. The Department of Health estimated that there are 38 illegal abortions per 1 000 women (report in Sowetan Live, 12 June 2012).

The Christian Action Network has urged pro-lifers to lay charges against illegal abortionists at their local police station. A form detailing how illegal abortions violate both the Termination of Pregnancy Act and Medicines Act has been drafted for this purpose and can be downloaded here.

“Pro-life groups uphold the sanctity of life – that every life is valuable to God. Over 70 Crisis Pregnancy Centres, Mothers Homes and Baby Homes across South Africa provide women with loving alternatives and practical support, not just one choice – abortion – that pro-abortionists coerce women into choosing. Doctors for Life and many other Christian groups each care for hundreds of orphans.”

Since 1987 Life Chains have been held in the USA, and since 1992 Africa Christian Action has organised Life Chains in South Africa. This was the 26th Life Chain held in Cape Town.

For photos, please visit the Africa Christian Action Facebook page.

Country-Wide Life Chains
Tembisa: Saturday, 30 September, 11:30 – 13:30,Lerala Train Station at the Plaza, Tembisa. Contact: Nico van Zyl:  0722350201.

Cape Town: Sunday 1 October, 2:00 - 4:00pm. Buitengracht Street, near entrance to Waterfront. Contact: Africa Christian Action: 021 -689 4480 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

40 Days for Life – Cape Town – 40 day prayer vigil outside Maries Stopes abortuary, 91 Bree Street, Cape Town. 27 September to 5 November. Contact Colette Thomas: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 083 412 4936.

Durban: Sunday, 1 October, National March for Life, 2:30 - 5:00pm, corner of Centenary Blvd and Zenith Drive, near Gateway Mall, Umhlanga. Organised by the National Alliance for Life, Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 032 – 481 5550. Zulu spokesman: Sibongiseni Khumalo – 072 314 3149.

East London: Saturday, 7 October: 11:00-12:00, corner of Oxford Street and St Matthew's Roads. Contact Frans: 082 774 6649.

Bloemfontein: Daily protests and prayer vigils from 6.30am to 10.30am outside the National District Hospital and Marie Stopes abortuary. Contact Faan Oosthuizen: 083 265 9395, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Proverbs 31:8

Christian Action Network members have been campaigning for the right to life of pre-born babies since 1991.

For further details contact Christian Action Network Co-ordinator, Taryn Lourens: (021) 689 4480 or 072 215 4801 or E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .