It has been almost a year since the murder of Dr. George Tiller robbed us

Dr. George Tiller in his clinic 

of an exceptional physician who stood with unflinching resolve against all who tried to stop his life-saving work. 

I will always remember the shock and sadness of that Sunday, May 31, when Dr. Tiller was gunned down as he stood in the foyer of his Lutheran church in Wichita, welcoming anyone entering to worship. That he was killed in a sanctuary, where people were coming to celebrate Pentecost, and that he found strength and purpose through his religious faith made his death especially grievous for us as people of faith.
 
Since then, his assassin has been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison but the violence against women's clinics has not stopped and the cruel, often vicious legislative attacks on women's reproductive health care have escalated.
 
Dr. Tiller was killed because of his commitment to providing safe, legal abortion for women who had the greatest need, women with late-term complications and emergencies, many of whom had no one else to turn to. Few of us have lived our lives with the dedication he showed despite constant harassment, physical harm and demonization. 

It is only fitting that we honor Dr. Tiller's courage and compassion by strengthening our own resolve to ensure that abortion is not only safe and legal but also offered with the respect that was part of his practice.
 
Today, we call on all who value life to join with us in re-committing ourselves to creating the kind of society that George Tiller sought - in his words, where "every pregnancy is an invited guest in the woman's body and a welcome addition to her family." In such a society, women would be trusted to make decisions about pregnancy, doctors would provide health care without fear, and conscience and religious beliefs about reproductive choice would be respected. 
 
We pray that the compassion, wisdom and courage of Dr. George Tiller will be carried forward in creating this world. 
 
Peace and Blessings,
Reverend Dr. Carlton W. Veazey