Priests for Life Calls for Chinese Dissident to be Brought to Safety

Priests for Life has joined calls for the U.S. State Department to immediately take steps to bring to safety Chinese forced-abortion dissident Chen Guangcheng, his family and anyone who helped him escape house arrest two weeks ago.

P>STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (Priests for Life) - Priests for Life has joined calls for the U.S. State Department to immediately take steps to bring to safety Chinese forced-abortion dissident Chen Guangcheng, his family and anyone who helped him escape house arrest two weeks ago.

"There is no way to ensure their safety if they remain in China," said Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries. "The whole world is watching this situation, and we must act now.

"Chen has been courageous enough to speak out against forced abortion and sterilization in China. But for too long, the United States has been silent about the brutality with which these policies are enforced, and the way those who oppose them are silenced. We cannot be silent about the very real danger facing Chen, his wife, Yuan Weijing, and those who helped him."

Father Pavone urged everyone to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives about this matter.

The Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues, a ministry of Gospel of Life, has urged Parliamentarians to voice concern for Chen to Chinese officials and embassies in their respective countries; to call, fax and email national embassies in China to create global concern for Chen's well-being, and to use social media to keep the international spotlight on Chen and his family. For information, go to 

The Christian Defense Coalition has organized a prayer vigil Friday at noon, in front of the White House. The location is 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, on the Lafayette Park side. Priests for Life will be one of the groups represented.

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Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.