The Pregnancy Care Center located in New Rochelle was one of the 12 exhibiters at a pro-life conference in Yonkers.
Rabbi Rigoberto Emmanuel Vinas, a conservative, Republican, pro-life Latino emphasized that there was a Protestant Minister, a Catholic Bishop and a Jewish Rabbi participating in this pro-life program. He stated that “the creator of the heaven and earth” is present from the moment of conception to “when it is time to go home.” God, has “plans for every single life that comes into this world.”
Because Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the National Spokesperson for Catholic Relief Services, was in Haiti, Bishop Gerald Walsh of St. Joseph’s Seminary spoke. He praised people who are “living up to their God-given potentials” such as young people who “resist peer pressure” to engage in the culture of death, drugs and gangs. He felt Americans must “stand up for life.”
New York State Senator, Rev. Ruben Diaz was introduced as being “vocal in defense of human life and the tradition of marriage.” Diaz characterized himself as a Black, a Hispanic and a Democrat from the Democratic City of New York. He had been told no conservative pro-life and anti-same sex marriage could win, then added “the last time I counted I won by 98% of the vote.” His answer to the question: What is abortion? was the termination of pregnancy and the destruction of life. Since the day of infamy when the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision was passed on January 22, 1973, about 50 million babies have “been aborted or killed in the United States.” Pro-choice, he said, is pro-abortion and means people “want to kill babies.” When it comes to separation of church and state, he said “I am the church and I am the state and I cannot separate myself.” After citing various Bible verses that made it clear that “life starts at conception,” he said he was a lone Democrat and he will always fight for Christ. But he continued, it is not only Democrats who do not support life. The audience was urged to “stop” these politicians because they do not deserve their votes. Alluding to women who had abortions in the past, he said they should ask for forgiveness because “God loves you”… and wants to restore you. He felt this issue “is not about a (political) party, it is about what Jesus wants us to do.” Anthony Felicissimo, the master of ceremonies, thanked the Senator ”for being there for us” and presented him with a plaque of appreciation.
Newly elected County Executive Rob Astorino praised Yonkers Mayor Philip Amicone for proclaiming this Respect Life Week in Yonkers which began January 24 with this program at the Polish Center in Yonkers. Mayor Amicone had jokingly apologized to the more than 600 people attending by saying “Sorry, but we’re very happy you don’t have a seat,” especially since it was the day of the New York Jets game. Astorino felt anyone who has held a little child “should fight for the sanctity of life.” He further amplified by sending his sympathies to the people of Haiti. A political consultant had told him he couldn’t “win in a pro-choice county, but guess what, I did win.”
Several other pro-life politicians attended the conference including former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer and Assemblyman Michael Benjamin from the Bronx who came in support of Senator Diaz. He told about the Unborn Victims of Violence Act which he is hoping will be presented for a vote. The polls indicate even Black people are opposed to abortion. Grandparents don’t want any harm to come to a child in the womb.
From the February 1, 2010 issue of the Westchester Herald