Contact: Margaret Sciarrino, Gospel of Life Ministries, 718-980-4400 ext 251, margaret@priestsforlife.org; Bradley Mattes, Life Issues Institute, 513-729-3600, info@lifeissues.org; Marie Smith, Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues, 703-433-2767, MSmith@pncius.org

MEDIA ADVISORY, March 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Gospel of Life Ministries (GOL), Life Issues Institute, and Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues (PNCI) announce a new united effort to save the lives of unborn children from abortion and advance a culture of life worldwide. The Gospel of Life Ministries is integrating the work of the Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues (PNCI), previously a project of Life Issues Institute, into its mission to equip pro-life advocates to engage in the political process and ensure that elected and appointed officials uphold their obligations to protect life.

GOL and PNCI will synergize their efforts to promote respect for the inviolable dignity of life and help religious and elected leaders around the world defend laws and policies which recognize the sanctity of life when confronted by new unprecedented pro-abortion pressure.

The head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Thoraya Ahmed Obaid recently said: "I believe that religion is the final frontier in our work to promote human rights, including the rights of women and the right to sexual and reproductive health."

The Gospel of Life Ministries and Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues will assist individuals of all faiths to uphold cherished religious and cultural beliefs against abortion and build pro-life coalitions in national capitals around the world to defend laws protecting the unborn.

Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Gospel of Life Ministries, welcomes the outreach of PNCI and sees great potential for advancing a culture of life. "We know that elected officials around the world who stand up for the protection of the unborn child can face intense pro-abortion pressure and ridicule. We hope to offer these defenders of life support, assistance, and encouragement through the work of the Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues and equip the faithful to exercise their responsibilities of faithful citizenship."

"Lawmakers serving in national governments around the world have been subjected to tremendous pro-abortion lobby efforts since it was determined at the Cairo population conference that the power to change policy on abortion rested in their hands," according to Marie Smith, Director of PNCI. "We are hopeful that with this new concerted outreach with the Gospel of Life Ministries we will be able to assist and encourage lawmakers globally to use their positions to advance laws and policies that save the lives of unborn children and help their mothers.

"I extend my heartfelt thanks to Life Issues Institute for its support over the past three years and look forward to a continued cooperation on behalf of the pre-born and their mothers."

Bradley Mattes, Executive Director of Life Issues Institute said, "PNCI has established an effective network with legislators, heads of state, ambassadors, ministers, religious leaders, and pro-life activists these past three years. We have been happy to assist their efforts.  Now, I am pleased to see that PNCI is ready to expand its reach and I wish them great success."