The Association releases the following response by its Executive Director, Laurence D. Behr, Esq.:

“We are grateful for the Common Council’s support, and in particular for its recognition that respect for human life is not a divisive issue, but is instead the bedrock foundation of all law and morality. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, exemplified respect for life when, through her great faith in God, she accepted an unplanned, "crisis" pregnancy, in the context of a society that, much more than our own, stigmatized and punished such a condition. The Holy Innocents, slain by King Herod in his effort to murder the Christ Child, exemplify what can happen when people put worldly values above love and respect for the weakest members of society.

“This great and awesome shrine is about far more than the pro-life issue, however. It also will promote the importance of family life, the only “building block” of society, which is so challenged today, and is indeed in crisis. The family is under attack from the forces of consumerism, materialism, and hedonism. These are opposed by the spiritual values this shrine will proclaim, through the example of Mary’s poverty of spirit, and her beautiful and childlike purity of heart. The shrine will include a monumental statue of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary and Joseph— established by God as an example for all families, of the selfless love and devotion that is proper between family members, and so essential for the transmission of sound, life-giving values from generation to generation.

“Further, the shrine will promote true peace between individuals and peoples. The Infant Prince of Peace, Jesus, Love Incarnate, upraised by His Mother Mary and presented to the world as the answer to its seemingly impossible conflicts, will proclaim to all that with God, Who is Love, all things are possible.

“This great shrine will be a place of healing, refuge, hope, consolation and peace, for peoples everywhere, and of every faith. Our Common Council has shown wisdom in recognizing the great and unmitigated blessing that The Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and International Shrine of the Holy Innocents will be, not only for the people of Buffalo, but for our country and the world.

“We already have begun to receive a great outpouring of support and encouragement from faithful people around the U.S. and Canada, many local chapters have started in both countries, and people in distant countries have expressed great enthusiasm and have offered their help. We ask all people of faith to support this great endeavor, and join us in seeking a return to God, to the goodness of sacrificial love, and to purity of heart.”

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Laurence D. Behr
gabriel.ldbehr@verizon.net

Executive Director, Ass'n for the Arch of Triumph
Of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Int'l Shrine
Of the Holy Innocents, Inc.,
A NY Non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation
43 Court St., Ste. 600
Buffalo NY 14202
(716)856-1300 (FAX -1494)
www.ArchofTriumph.org

Please join our Web site email group, at http://www.archoftriumph.org/subscribe.html

HELP BUILD THE CULTURE OF LIFE! To make your tax-deductible donation, make checks payable to: Arch of Triumph of the IHM, PO Box 394, Buffalo, NY 14201. Make secure charge and check account donations on our Web site, www.ArchofTriumph.org, or by calling toll free, 1-866-205-6512. For each donation of at least $100 US, one name may be inscribed on Mary’s golden Arch of Triumph of a person, living or deceased, born or unborn ($175 for wedded couples; $250 for group names). Donors of at least $1000 will also receive a beautiful signed certificate. Donors of at least $2000 may also have names placed on bronze plaques in the Chapels of the Sacred Heart, the Immaculate Heart, the Triumph, or the Holy Innocents, as they may choose. Start a Local Chapter! Contact Director Laurence Behr, LDBehr@ArchofTriumph.org, or call 1-866-205-6512.