Dr. George Tiller Murdered Today

George Tiller was murdered this morning while attending his Witchita Reformation Lutheran Church (ELCA). This is not an entry of celebration but a post of great sadness. As a person who murdered thousands of children, while hiding behind the guise of 'privacy' and 'healthcare', Dr. Tiller was also made in God's image. Setting aside what anyone thought of the man or his profession, he had as much right to life as the children he murdered. By taking his life, his murderer has done nothing to help the pro-life cause; indeed, abortions will continue to be performed with or without Dr. Tiller and the violence so many protest has been committed by a supposed 'pro-life' person.

Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life has issued the following statement:

“I am saddened to hear of the killing of George Tiller this morning. At this point, we do not know the motives of this act, or who is behind it, whether an angry post-abortive man or woman, or a misguided activist, or an enemy within the abortion industry, or a political enemy frustrated with the way Tiller has escaped prosecution. We should not jump to conclusions or rush to judgment.

“But whatever the motives, we at Priests for Life continue to insist on a culture in which violence is never seen as the solution to any problem. Every life has to be protected, without regard to their age or views or actions.”

Who does the harvesting? Read Matthew 13:

²⁴ He put another parable before them, 'The kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

25 While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off.

26 When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, then the darnel appeared as well.

27 The owner's labourers went to him and said, "Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?"

28 He said to them, "Some enemy has done this." And the labourers said, "Do you want us to go and weed it out?"

29 But he said, "No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it.

30 Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn." '

+Deus misereatur+

EDITED TO ADD: Dr. Tiller leaves behind a wife, Mrs. Jeanne Tiller, four children and ten grandchildren. They released the following statement:

“Today we mourn the loss of our husband, father and grandfather. Today’s event is an unspeakable tragedy for all of us and for George’s friends and patients. This is particularly heart wrenching because George was shot down in his house of worship, a place of peace.

We would like to express the family’s thanks for the many messages of sympathy from our friends and from all across the nation. We also want to thank the law enforcement officers who are investigating this crime.

Our loss is also a loss for the City of Wichita and women across America. George dedicated his life to providing women with high-quality heath care despite frequent threats and violence. We ask that he be remembered as a good husband, father and grandfather and a dedicated servant on behalf of the rights of women everywhere."