FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Leslie Palma - 917-697-7039
Priests for Life National Director Frank Pavone and Executive Director Janet Morana issued the following statement this morning on the death of their friend and colleague Mark Crutcher.
“The pro-life movement today lost one of its greatest leaders, most courageous activists, and most innovative thinkers, Mark Crutcher, president of Life Dynamics. And we have lost a friend.
“Mark passed away early Thursday after suffering a heart attack Sunday night.
“Of all the pro-life groups and leaders, Mark was one of the two or three leaders with whom our team collaborated most closely, from the beginning of our pro-life work more than 30 years ago.
“Whether through public projects or private strategy meetings, Mark always brought the fight to the enemy, exploiting the weaknesses of the abortion industry and settling for nothing less than complete victory.
Left: Frank Pavone, Janet Morana and Mark Crutcher on the set of Gospel of Life.
“Anyone who knew Mark knew that he was all in for the babies. This was not a job; it was an all-consuming commitment. Many were the times when, if we needed to contact him on a Sunday or a holiday, we knew we could call him at his office number and find him there at his desk.
“There was never a meeting with Mark in which he wouldn’t be ready to discuss a new idea or angle on fighting abortion that nobody had quite thought of before. He was a pioneer of undercover work, convinced that all we needed to know in order to end abortion was inside the abortion industry, waiting to be exposed.
“At the same time, in every meeting, his sense of humor would be on full display, bringing everyone to enjoy some hearty laughter.
“He was also a friend to whom we at Priests for Life could turn when we were under attack from certain misguided Church leaders. Though not a Catholic himself, he defended our ministry as strongly as we did.
“Mark was a faithful husband and father, and his love for his wife and daughter was palpable and inspiring. And he never hesitated to show the love and care he had for his pets.
“Mark also made no secret of his Texas pride, often asking us if we had seen the light yet and were ready to move there. He often teased Janet about being the nicest Yankee he ever knew.
“It will take years to fully unpack the legacy that Mark Crutcher and Life Dynamics have left to the pro-life movement. Every pro-life activist owes it to him/herself to learn about this legacy and to study the projects, broadcasts, and writings Mark has left us. Moreover, we are wise to live by one of his favorite exhortations: “Remember, we’re not here to put up a good fight; we’re here to win, because winning is how the killing stops.”
“On behalf of our Priests for Life Board of Directors, on which Mark so graciously served, and our entire ministry family, we express our sincere condolences to Mark’s wife Tulane, to Sheila, his daughter, and to their extended family.
“May Mark Crutcher rest in peace.”