Human Life International
Encyclopedia
Human Life International is an American
-based Roman Catholic activist pro-life
organization. Founded in 1981 by Father Paul Marx
(1920–2010), HLI is located in Front Royal, Virginia. Human Life International describes itself as "the largest international pro-life organization in the world", noting that it has affiliates and associates in over 100 nations worldwide. It has collaborated with secular organizations as well as those of various other religious denominations.
in 1998, after accusations that he had referred to the "Jewish domination" of the pro-choice movement, as well as commenting that most French pro-choice activists were "Jewish", and once referred to a "female Jewish liar" whom he heard at a Bucharest World Population Conference. He is accused of making further controversial remarks in 1987, comparing abortion to the Holocaust and describing the former as a 'greater holocaust'. These charges are not corroborated with references to HLI's own publications, where the statements were allegedly made.
HLI stated that criticizing pro-choice Jews for their advocacy of abortion no more made Father Marx "anti-Semitic" than his constant criticism of pro-choice Catholics made him "anti-Catholic". HLI also points out that the founder of NARAL, Bernard Nathanson
, was an abortionist who became a pro-life activist, including regular collaborations with HLI, and even speaking at HLI conferences. Nathanson, who was Jewish, also called abortion "the most atrocious holocaust in the history of the United States." HLI has challenged its critics to produce evidence of anti-Semitism other than that which appears in its critics' publications.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based Roman Catholic activist pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
organization. Founded in 1981 by Father Paul Marx
Paul Marx (priest)
Paul Benno Marx, OSB was Catholic priest and Benedictine monk, pro-life author and founder of Human Life Center at St. John's University , Human Life International and Population Research Institute ....
(1920–2010), HLI is located in Front Royal, Virginia. Human Life International describes itself as "the largest international pro-life organization in the world", noting that it has affiliates and associates in over 100 nations worldwide. It has collaborated with secular organizations as well as those of various other religious denominations.
Key staff
- John Martin is Executive Vice President.
- Joseph Meaney is Director of International Coordination.
- Brian Clowes is Director of Research and Training.
- Monsignor Ignacio Carambula Barreiro is Director of the Rome office.
- Stephen Phelan is Communications Manager.
Controversy
HLI founder Marx was condemned by the Anti-Defamation LeagueAnti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
in 1998, after accusations that he had referred to the "Jewish domination" of the pro-choice movement, as well as commenting that most French pro-choice activists were "Jewish", and once referred to a "female Jewish liar" whom he heard at a Bucharest World Population Conference. He is accused of making further controversial remarks in 1987, comparing abortion to the Holocaust and describing the former as a 'greater holocaust'. These charges are not corroborated with references to HLI's own publications, where the statements were allegedly made.
HLI stated that criticizing pro-choice Jews for their advocacy of abortion no more made Father Marx "anti-Semitic" than his constant criticism of pro-choice Catholics made him "anti-Catholic". HLI also points out that the founder of NARAL, Bernard Nathanson
Bernard Nathanson
Bernard N. Nathanson was an American medical doctor from New York who helped to found the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, but later became a pro-life activist.-Early life and education:...
, was an abortionist who became a pro-life activist, including regular collaborations with HLI, and even speaking at HLI conferences. Nathanson, who was Jewish, also called abortion "the most atrocious holocaust in the history of the United States." HLI has challenged its critics to produce evidence of anti-Semitism other than that which appears in its critics' publications.