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HERALD Editor |
The announcement last week of the retirement of Father Paul Marx, O.S.B., from his duties at Human Life International in Front Royal brings to a close a remarkable chapter in the history of the pro-life movement.
Father Marx founded HLI in 1981 and served as president and chairman until Father Matthew Habiger, O.S.B., assumed the presidency in 1994. Father Marx continued as chairman of the board until December 1998, when he again was succeeded by Father Habiger. Father Richard Welch, C.S.S.R., was elected HLI president in 1997.
Father Marx’s decision to retire was relayed to HLI officials by Abbot Timothy Kelly, O.S.B., of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minn. Abbot Kelly met with Father Marx and decided that he must return to the abbey for a period of rest and to undergo various medical exams.
"For many years Father Marx worked zealously in promoting life from conception to natural death," said Abbot Kelly. "For the past 19 years, through Human Life International, he has dedicated his life to the promotion of respect for life and has through his ministry made the message of life widely known, not only in the United States, but throughout the world. His dedication to this cause has cost him dearly, but will also bring many blessings to him and to others because of his selfless dedication."
Fathers Habiger and Welch said there are few people who equal Father Marx’s contributions and dedication in promoting and defending the Culture of Life. Father Marx has earned a place in the history of both the Catholic Church and the international pro-life movement, they said.
"The best gift we can give Father Marx is to insure that his legacy will continue through the work of HLI throughout the world," said Father Welch. "In this time of transition, we call on HLI’s worldwide family of friends and supporters to honor him by joining to pray and work together to help HLI flourish in the years ahead, as we fight the good fight for faith, life and family."
We wish Father Marx well in retirement and hope he gets the rest he so richly deserves. It appears his legacy at HLI is in capable hands under the energetic leadership of both Fathers Habiger and Welch.
Copyright ©1999 Arlington Catholic Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
This article was published in the Arlington
Catholic Herald,
200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 607, Arlington, VA 22203; Vol 24, No 34,
page 4, dated August 26, 1999.
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A note from the Web Master:
It is noteworthy and honorable that some folks are willing to stand up for a ban on Partial-Birth Abortion. Let us not forget that ordinary everyday run of the mill abortion is also murder. We must understand that aborting the life of a baby is murder no matter the method. Because one method of abortion seems to be horrible does not make the other methods less so. We should be horrified and sickened by any abortion regardless of the method. The Fifth Commandment spells it out clearly:
"Thou shalt not kill."
A fetus is a person, a human being with a God given soul.
Imagine the pain the Lord must feel when any abortion occurs. Please
contact both of your Senators and Representative, via letter or phone,
to let them know how horrified you are that abortions are legal and to
stop, once and for all, Partial-Birth abortions and all other abortions
as soon as possible.
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