DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM At the protest on the 30th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade, these kids from Lighthouse Outreach Center Assembly of God Church in Waipahu express their solidarity with the cause.

A broad spectrum of churches gathers
to protest the Roe vs. Wade decision

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By Mary Adamski
madamski@starbulletin.com

The location was the state Capitol mall, and several state legislators came outside to speak at the "March for Life" rally Wednesday.

The chant from the counterdemonstration was that "not the church, not the state, woman must decide her fate."

But despite those political and sociological themes, for most of the 500 people attending the annual event, the issue of abortion is a religious one. Prayers and hymns were the order of the day, and people from a broad spectrum of Christian denominations joined in.

Wednesday was the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision, which legalized abortion, an occasion that is marked each year by largely faith-based anti-abortion demonstrations around the country.

"We are resisting what we as Christians feel is morally wrong," said the Rev. Rick Irons, pastor of Calvary Chapel of Central Oahu. "We hope the law could be changed -- there are a few possibilities with a pro-life president. Whether it changes or not, we have to be there. Whether we ever win or not is not the point."

Irons said he and members of the Mililani church have attended the rally for 20 years.

The Very Rev. Thomas Gross, vicar general of the Honolulu diocese, said: "Most Catholics are aware that it's a sin, it's wrong. Abortion definitely would be something to confess and seek God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the church."

Some Catholic parishes bring busloads of members to the event, Gross said. Conspicuous in the eclectic crowd were several laymen members of the Knights of Columbus in plumed hats, who executed honor guard maneuvers with ornamental swords.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM An anti-abortion group from Lighthouse Outreach Center Assembly of God joins in at the Hawaii March for Life protest against abortion.

"Life is a gift from God," said the Rev. Joe Hunkin, of Lighthouse Outreach Center, Assembly of God, in Waipahu. "We read in Genesis that God created mankind, life is a supernatural thing. I believe killing babies is a wrong thing."

Hunkin brought more than 100 youths and children from his church who presented a rousing performance of gospel music and a skit, "Bring God Back to America."

The Rev. Audwin Meekins, pastor of the Way of Truth Church in Waipahu, said the annual demonstration is "the body of Christ coming together to speak. Abortion is so important, we cannot deny it, we must deal with it. If the church is silent on issues, we are not able to empower our legislators. My hope, my prayer is that (abortion) will be brought up by lawmakers again someday."

Irons said he will preach at services tomorrow on "the sanctity of life and the value of the human soul. With each mortal body is a soul -- even within a little baby -- that is immortal. If you kill the body that has the soul in it, it is against Creation and very, very wrong."

The Calvary Chapel pastor quoted from Ezekiel, Chapter 18:4, in which "God was speaking to the nation of Israel: 'Behold all souls are mine. The soul of the father, as the soul of the son, is mine, and the soul who sins shall die.' He is the owner of all human souls, so I have no right to kill someone who really belongs to him. It's foundational to our world view," said Irons.

In considering abortion today, "Socially it's a disaster. Killing of babies is destroying our society," he said.

"I loved when Mother Theresa told President Clinton if we kill the most innocent in the womb, no one is safe."

Irons said Aloha Pregnancy Care and Counseling Service provides counseling at his church each Saturday afternoon.

Jack Hoag, spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, "We support pro-life doctrinally."

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii March for Life protests the legalization of abortion on the 30th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision.

A veteran at presenting his church's testimony to legislative committees on issues such as physician-assisted suicide and same-sex marriage, Hoag said: "The chance of changing the abortion law is very slim indeed. What we have tried to do is to at least prohibit late-term abortion. It's pretty clear that is a pretty terrible thing."

Hoag said a mass demonstration may get legislators' attention briefly, but "you have to be in their office every day."

Gross said: "The legality of abortion eroded our respect for life and generally our respect for others. To teach or preach about abortion today is harder in one sense: It seems to be part of society; young people have grown up with it.

"But the newer issues, physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia, help to focus on the whole life issue," said the priest. "New things bring the issue more to the front; there's new interest. It doesn't make it easier.

"We preach about it not so much to condemn the person, but to offer condolence and healing," Gross said, and the church helps fund groups that provide counseling such as Catholic Charities.

Hunkin said: "I tell young people that sex is a holy thing from God. I tell them, first of all, bring your life up, go to school, get a job. Save yourself for that man or woman that God gives to you, it will satisfy you for life. I will bless your friendship; save the sex until after marriage. I preach about it, but a lot of pastors are scared to preach about sex.

"I teach there is a guide, the Bible," said Hunkin. "The problem is, society tells them do whatever you want. In school they give kids a condom and say do it safe.

"We need to give them the Bible, not the condom."

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