Contact: Life Decisions International, 540-631-0380, ext. 22, media@fightpp.org

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- Actor Peter Boyle, who became known to millions through his role on the long-running CBS Television program "Everybody Loves Raymond," died at New York Presbyterian Hospital on Tuesday, December 12.

Educated in Roman Catholic schools, Boyle spent three years as a member of the Christian Brothers religious order, an experience he later described as "living in the Middle Ages." In 1991, Boyle explained why he left the monastery: "I felt the call for awhile; then I felt the normal pull of the world and the flesh." And when Boyle abandoned his religious studies, he also rejected Catholic teaching.

Boyle was a member of Planned Parenthood's celebrity Board of Advocates. He expressed grave concern about the future of the U.S. Supreme Court when Sandra Day O'Connor announced she would retire. "The next justice will have the power to change the way we live our lives, so we must do everything in our power to ensure that women are not stripped of their right to choose," he said. Boyle was included on Life Decisions International's Celebrity Watch web page, which identifies celebrity proponents of abortion.

Boyle attended many Planned Parenthood fund-raising events with his wife, Loraine. In addition, he contributed to the campaigns of many pro-abortion candidates, including John F. Kerry's presidential quest and Hillary Clinton's race for the U.S. Senate.

Planned Parenthood has not yet released a statement regarding Boyle's death.