Contact: Stephen Phelan, Communications Manager, Human Life International (HLI), 540-551-2547, SPhelan@hli.org

FRONT ROYAL, Virginia, Jan. 26 /Standard Newswire/ -- As expected, last Friday, President Barack Obama rescinded President George Bush's "Mexico City Policy", a policy which had blocked funding for international organizations which practiced or promoted abortion worldwide.

"We are disgusted, but we are not surprised," said Father Thomas Euteneuer, president of Human Life International. "President Obama's signature today ensured that American dollars will, with no mandate from the taxpayer, fund abortions in the developing world, in countries that are historically and deeply pro-life."

Photo: Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer (EYE-ten-our), President, Human Life International

The Mexico City Policy was first instituted by Ronald Reagan in 1984, was rescinded by Bill Clinton on his first full day in office, and was re-instituted by George W. Bush on his first full day in office.

"The way in which the president signed this order is telling," said Father Euteneuer. "It was pure cowardice. Friday afternoons are when politicians release decisions that they know are embarrassing or shameful. President Obama knows that this is shameful, but he needs to placate those who got him into office."

President Obama's executive order comes the day after over 200,000 pro-life activists filled the nation's capital in protest of Roe v. Wade, the controversial decision which made abortion legal in the United States by judicial fiat.

"We are reminded that even supposed political victories are temporary, and that the solution to these problems is not political, even if we have to keep up the political fight and our activist efforts," said Father Euteneuer. "We are called to prayer, fasting and conversion... only God can put a stop to the horror of abortion now."