Activist preaches pro-life message

Likening pro-life activism to the fight for the abolition of slavery, Valerie Protopappas of Orthodox Christians for Life stresses that abortion is an even more important issue than slavery was. After all, she said, the slaves could be liberated, while aborted fetuses can never live. Protopappas spoke to a dozen people in the Newman Center on Thursday night, as part of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship Distinguished Guest Lecture Series. The audience was evenly divided between students and local members of the Orthodox Church. Protopappas said that she hopes that her pro-life message goes beyond the religious community at Penn because "it is not only a matter of creeds, scriptures and dogmas." Father Alexander Webster, who organizes the Guest Lecture Series, introduced Protopappas. Setting the tone for the lecture, he noted that there is "no dissenting view within the Orthodox Church [about abortion]." Protopappas spoke about abortion as a symptom of an ongoing moral decline. Quoting a number of scriptures and teachings of the Orthodox Church, she discussed how the moral parameters stress an absolute view against all abortion. In 1976, the Modern Orthodox Church stated that "The Orthodox Church has a definite, formal, intended position towards abortion... it is an affront to practicing Christians." Protopappas also spoke about the political climate, in general, and in regards to the abortion debate. She said that the emphasis on political correctness has translated the pro-life stance into something like "hate crimes against women," adding that Attorney General designate John Ashcroft's pro-life beliefs are the main reason he may not be confirmed. "The moral divide can be seen in maps of states and counties which were won by each candidate in the last election," Protopappas said. "More people should be open to hear the message... The pro-life message is not something to be afraid of," College senior Kristen Webster said. "Too many people don't want to consider what abortion really is."