Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry on Tuesday declared that had undergone a “transformation” and no longer supported abortion in cases of rape or incest.

During a campaign event in Iowa, Full Faith Christian Center pastor Joshua Verwers noted that Perry used to believe that abortion was acceptable for victims of rape and incest, but the Texas governor had recently signed a Personhood USA pledge that says abortion should be illegal in all cases.

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“To me it seems kind of like a contradiction where you were a month ago,” Verwers said.

“You’re seeing a transformation,” Perry explained. “That transformation was after watching the DVD Gift of Life. And I really started giving some thought about the issue of rape and incest.”

Earlier this month, Perry and several other GOP candidates attended a screening of The Gift of Life, which was produced by Citizens United and narrated by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R).

“All I can tell you was God was working on my heart,” Perry remarked.

It wasn’t clear from his answer if the candidate still supports abortion when it is necessary to save the life of the mother.

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A recent Public Policy Polling survey found that in Iowa, Perry is trailing Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) ahead of the Jan. 3 caucuses.

Watch this video from ABC News, broadcast Dec. 27, 2011.