WASHINGTON, D.C.—LDI has learned of a new group calling itself “Family Life International” (FLI). This is the same name that Fr. Paul Marx, founder of Human Life International (HLI), often used to refer to his organization. It is clear that “Family Life International,” a named even used by some HLI affiliates, is part of HLI’s heritage.

“We wish to be clear that this new organization is in no way associated with HLI,” said Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of HLI, in a statement released to pro-life leaders worldwide. “[W]e assure you that we are taking all steps necessary to diminish the confusion that this is already causing for the pro-life movement across the world.”

What Euteneuer does not say is that the new FLI is trying to woo HLI’s current affiliates, even those that have been with HLI for decades. The rogue group has swayed at least six HLI affiliates to abandon the organization started by Marx. The new FLI even placed a fullpage advertisement in The Wanderer stating the need for another group and declaring that International Planned Parenthood Federation has been given a “free ride” by other pro-life organizations, which is utter nonsense. In the ad, the new FLI claimed that no other group is doing exactly the kind of work the new FLI would be attempting. In reality, HLI is doing precisely that kind of work—and doing it extremely well.

According to LDI President Douglas R. Scott, the creation of the new FLI and the use of the name is no accident. The person behind the new FLI is a former HLI employee who is determined to serve as a “competitor” to HLI. In fact, a fund-raising letter claims FLI is “nothing less than a rebirth of Fr. Marx’s vision” as its leaders seek to cut into HLI’s funding base and international network.

Always upbeat, Euteneuer said that despite the efforts of some to harm HLI, the organization “remains committed to carrying on the mission of Fr. Marx and building a culture of life in every nation of the world.…We at HLI know that the vision of Fr. Marx has never been extinguished; rather, it has always remained the vibrant and energetic pulse of our mission. It is within the heart of our extended HLI family that this vision lives and thrives.”

“It is appalling when people who call themselves pro-life and Christian deem it necessary to build a personal kingdom rather than serve the Kingdom,” Scott said. “This is just one more example of an individualist with a desire to destroy a well-respected institution that was successfully created and operated by others over many years. Those involved with the new FLI should be ashamed and the group will undoubtedly operate without the Lord’s blessing.”

“HLI’s standard ‘live and let live’ policy applies to everyone who wishes to do honest pro-life work, but we do feel the need to advise you that there may be further efforts on the part of this group to capitalize on the existing HLI network for its own purposes,” Euteneuer said. But Scott said HLI’s leader is being diplomatic and charitable: “Pro-life leaders need to speak up any time an injustice is done. The new FLI needs to be returned to the place where it originated, and that place is certainly not within God’s realm.”

“Please accept our gratitude for the support we have received from you in times past, and we pray that we may be able to return that support for your endeavors in the future. Know, at least, that we pray for all of our allies and collaborators each day at the altar of the Lord,” Euteneuer said.

It was LDI that exonerated the embattled American Right to Life (ARL) when the National Right to Life Committee Inc. (NRLC) publicly suggested that ARL, which NRLC Inc. apparently saw as a “rival,” was bogus and a scam intent on defrauding unsuspecting pro-life people. It was also LDI that proved that McDonald’s Corporation was not involved in the funding of fetal experimentation, despite widespread rumors to the contrary. “We are interested in the truth,” Scott said. “We are speaking out for HLI because it happens to be on the side of truth in this controversy. When ARL and McDonald’s were unjustly maligned, it was our responsibility as God-fearing people to get to the truth and let the light shine on it. If the truth ends up helping some and exposing others, that is the way it should be.”

Historical Note: NRLC Inc. was successful in destroying ARL by using its vast resources to file a lawsuit that the latter group could not afford to defend. NRLC Inc. had contended that it had the "right" to the name "Right to Life." ARL, on the other hand, argued that "Right to Life" referenced the movement, not a particular group, just as the term "pro-life" cannot be owned by any particular group. And as for the smear campaign against ARL, the organization was actually run by some well-known pro-life people who believed NRLC Inc. was a failure and too willing to compromise without a fight, particularly since the NRLC PAC had supported candidates who were not pro-life, but who were opposed to campaign finance reform.