New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie preached a pro-life message to the congregation at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Event in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Christie, one of five Catholic GOP presidential contenders, talked about the importance of the dignity of all human life and how he believes the American people can overcome the mass shooting in Charleston, S.C.
“When you’re pro-life, you need to be pro-life for the whole life,” Christie said. “The easiest time in my view to be pro-life is when a child is in the womb. They haven’t done anything yet to disappoint us; haven’t made any bad choices yet.”
Christie then turned to the murder of nine African-Americans who were gunned down inside Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, a historically black church established in 1816.
“There’s nothing more important today than taking as many moments as you can to pray for the families of those victims,” Christie said. “This type of conduct is something that only our display of our own love and good faith that’s in our heart can change. Laws can’t change this, only the goodwill and love of the American people can let those folks know that act is unacceptable, disgraceful and we need to do more to show that we love each other.”
“It’s moments like this where America comes together and shows the rest of the world what a great country we really are.”
Christie was followed onstage by a fellow Catholic, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who officially entered the presidential race earlier this week. Bush was in South Carolina at the time of the shooting. He suspended campaign events in the state as a result of the murders, and told attendees that now was the time for mourning.
None of the Catholic presidential candidates who have spoken so far have addressed the pope’s encyclical on climate change.
On Thursday, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz began his remarks at the conference with a prayer and request for a moment of silence to mourn the dead. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, another Republican presidential candidate, has cancelled his political schedule and announced he would return to the Palmetto State and remain there through the weekend.
