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WORLD: Obama condemns church murder of abortion doctor
Ed Harris2 Jun 2009
Barack Obama today condemned the murder of one of America's most controversial abortion doctors.
Dr George Tiller, one of the nation's few providers of late-term abortions after decades of protests and attacks, was shot and killed yesterday in the Kansas church where he was serving as an usher - with his wife singing in the choir.
The gunman fled. But three hours later a man named as Scott Roeder, 51, was detained 170 miles away in suburban Kansas City. He has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
The pro-life/pro-choice debate was already back on the US political agenda after President Obama gave a major speech on the issue just a fortnight ago. Today it moved on to centre stage. Mr Obama said: "However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence."
Anti-abortion groups denounced the shooting, stressing that they supported only non-violent protest.
The movement's leaders fear the killing could create a backlash against them just as they are scrutinising US Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, whose views on abortion rights are not publicly known.
Troy Newman, the president of Operation Rescue, an anti-abortion group based in Wichita, said he had always sought "non-violent" measures to challenge Dr Tiller.
He said: "Operation Rescue has worked tirelessly on peaceful, non-violent measures to bring him to justice. We are pro-life, and this act was antithetical to what we believe."
Supporters of abortion rights denounced the killing, saying it would act as a strong deterrent to others who provide abortions and to women who may consider abortions.
"This is a tremendous loss," said Peter B Brownlie, president of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri.
Dr Tiller was shot in the foyer of the Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita. His lawyer, Dan Monnat, said Dr Tiller's wife, Jeanne, was in the choir at the time. In a statement, his widow, four children and 10 grandchildren said the killing was "an unspeakable tragedy". They added: "This is particularly heart-wrenching because George was shot down in his house of worship, a place of peace."
The family continued: "George dedicated his life to providing women with high-quality health care despite frequent threats and violence."
Dr Tiller's Women's Health Care Services clinic is one of just three in the US where abortions are performed after the 21st week of pregnancy. The clinic was heavily fortified and Dr Tiller often travelled with a bodyguard.
He had endured threats and violence in the past. A protester shot him in both arms in 1993, and his clinic was bombed in 1985.
Reader views (10)
Rogan, maybe "Murder is also against religious beliefs..." - although it's usually pretty ambivalent on that point - but religious fanatics can ALWAYS find justification for killing someone they don't happen to agree with in their ancient tomes and scribblings. After all, they've got the sanction of God himself, haven't they?
- Croyboy, Croydon, 02/06/2009 08:09
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I am so tired of these hypocritical pro-lifers. They prefer that children get abandoned, mistreated etc. by parents who do not care. Just add more children to the misery of not being wanted and not being cared for. Idiots, all of them.
- Draci, Roseau, Dominica, 02/06/2009 01:00
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This guy was a mass murderer of human beings!!! Obama says"issues cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence" What does he think abortion is, if not that? Also, how could Dr Tiller reconcile faith in God and abortion. Not possible! However, I do not condone his murder. A life is a life! Whoever did this cannot be a true Christian.
- Karenf, London, 01/06/2009 21:26
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did he see his killer point the gun and pull the trigger? i hope not, maybe he should have been on his knees and take it in the back of his head without warning like the hundreds of babies he executed against their will
- Paul, london, 01/06/2009 19:34
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Hrmph hasn't the blame of countless of millions of deaths been attributed to religions defence, each protagonist believing in some god or other, usually the Abrahamic one. Anyone thinking these god's and belief systems are benevolent had better keep taking the pills.
- Thin Geoff, Harlow UK, 01/06/2009 18:24
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Alan, London - the guy that was murdered was also religious. He died in church, remember? Or didn't you read the article beyond the first available excuse to put down religion?
Murder is also against religious beliefs - which makes the killer in effect NON-religous, whatever the excuse he uses.
- Rogan, Irving, 01/06/2009 14:04
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Another example, sadly, of the barbarities that can be committed by a person when the virus of religion infects the brain.
- Alan, London, 01/06/2009 12:20
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This man clearly devoted his life to helping women, and giving them the choices they deserve. These people call themselves pro-life, but they have ruined 10 grand childrens lives, his 4 childrens lives, his wifes life and most probably the lives of a wider circle of family and friends. Not to mention all the womens he would have gone on to help. I'd like to hear the pro-lifers justify that. Its an absolute tragedy.
- Anon, London, 01/06/2009 11:29
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As this "doctor" conducted abortions "late" into the pregnancy, he could be classified as a murderer.
Good riddance
- Weddigen (A Non-Smoker), London SW3, 01/06/2009 11:16
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Religion. No. 1 cause of death of all times.
- Jeff, London, 01/06/2009 10:18
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