This morning, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., leaders of the pro-life community gathered to offer their prayers and support for Chris, Connie, and Charlie Gard of England.
Across the world, people are reacting in shock and horror at a recent ruling that grants London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital the power to choose when and how baby Charlie lives or dies. However, the almost universal outrage at the callous and injustice nature of this decision has produced a wave of people who are banding together to fight for Charlie’s life.
Penny Nance, the CEO and President of Concerned Women for America, Marjorie Dannenfelser, the President of the Susan B. Anthony List, and other prominent figures in the pro-life community condemned the ruling of the British court during their joint press conference . However, they also applauded both President Trump and Pope Francis for speaking about the injustice of this decision.
Penny Nance, in her statement at the press conference, noted that, “Charlie cannot speak for himself, but God gave him good parents who love him and have his best interest at heart. Surely they should be allowed to make the decision of when to quit.” These words succinctly frame the issue that has been articulated by many people around the world: whose child is Charlie Gard?
From the ruling of the British court, it appears that the government deems themselves the appropriate authority. However, the world is uniting to fight this idea and to fight for the right of Charlie’s parents to love their son in the best way that they can—by trying to give him a chance at life.
To the Great Ormond Street Hospital—the world is watching your actions. And to Charlie’s parents—there are millions of people praying for your family and for Charlie’s healing. We will never give up hope that God will change the hearts of Charlie’s doctors, and we will never give up hope that the truth will ultimately prevail.
We urge you to pray for Charlie’s release from the hospital, for his healing, and for his family as they fight for their baby boy’s life. All life has intrinsic value, and it’s time for the world to recognize this principle.
In the words of Catherine Glenn Foster, the President and CEO of Americans United for Life, “We are all Charlie.” God has big things in store for Charlie Gard’s little life, and we will never, ever stop fighting for his chance to live.
___
Kyle Permann is the 2017 Antonin Scalia Legal Fellow for Concerned Women for America