Colorado Springs, CO (LifeNews.com) -- A leading pro-life organization is challenging churches during the month of January to present the latest statistics about abortions to their congregation as the nation mourns the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Focus on the Family has challenged clergy members to consider recent statistics on abortion in the church when addressing their congregations. The group points to a survey conducted by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a Planned Parenthood research outfit, showing 20 percent of women who have abortions say they are evangelical Christians.

Kim Conroy, Sanctity of Human Life Director for Focus on the Family believes that it's time for churches to be proactive on this issue.

"Every post-abortive woman sitting in our churches needs to know that there is help and forgiveness available -- and it's our hope during this Sanctity Week that pastors and other clergy will extend that to her," Conroy said.

Conroy added that while abortion is always a tough topic to discuss, especially when considering the emotions of someone who has experienced it firsthand, it is vital that churches prioritize talking about this growing problem.

"Justice, mercy and compassion must be at the forefront of the conversation if we truly desire to extend healing to the women in our churches affected by abortion -- both those who've already experienced it and those who are right now contemplating it," Conroy explained.

In its surveys of women who have abortions, AGI also reports 33% of women who have abortions and disclose their religious affiliation describe themselves as Catholic.

Related web sites:
Focus on the Family - http://www.fotf.org