Shapiro begins a likely hideous reign (from 1/17/23 email from Pa Family)

Dear J, It's a gray and overcast day today in Harrisburg, with scattered chilly rain showers this afternoon. Not ideal weather for a gubernatorial inauguration, but perhaps fitting for the way many Pennsylvanians may feel about the prospects for family values in this new administration. Today, Josh Shapiro was sworn in as Pennsylvania's 48th governor (plus an additional seven, including Ben Franklin, who held the title of "President" of Pennsylvania before the office of governor was established). My prayer is that God will grant Gov. Shapiro wisdom and courage to do what is right.

In my tenure here since the founding of PA Family Institute, we've been the voice for the family under six different governors (and today makes seven), and in each case saw some victories and some disappointments. Under Gov. Robert Casey, a Democrat, we saw the enactment of the Abortion Control Act of 1989, at the time the strongest pro-life law in the nation.  His successors, Republican Tom Ridge and Democrat Ed Rendell, both supported abortion, and in their tenures infamously turned a blind eye to the abortion industry, leading to the unspeakable "House of Horrors" of abortionist Kermit Gosnell in West Philadelphia, and certainly other wrongdoing. Conversely, under GOP governor Tom Corbett, we were able to at least pass health and safety regulations on abortion centers (including unannounced inspections) that helped lead to the closure of at least eight abortion clinics across our state.  Today, at the outset of a Shapiro administration we don't know what tomorrow will bring. In his campaign, he sounded a positive note about parental choice in education, and we will look to expand those opportunities in every way we can. But we also know that on other key issues, like the sanctity of life and religious liberty, we have our work cut out for us.  I pledge that, together with your prayerful support, we will stand firm for the truth, as we advocate for a Pennsylvania where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive and life is cherished. Lastly, we ask on this inauguration day that you join us in prayer for Gov. Shapiro and all who serve in positions of authority, as we are instructed to do in 1 Tim 2: 1-4:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Sincerely,

Michael Geer President Pennsylvania Family Institute

P.S. I hope to see some of you Friday in Washington, DC for the national March for Life. If you'd like to attend, we have information on buses leaving from across Pennsylvania on our website at pafamily.org. P.P.S. Our Church Ambassador Network continues to connect pastors and churches in prayer with elected officials in Pennsylvania. For more about this effort, visit pafamily.org/church.l