Planned Parenthood's letter writing campaign bears pro-life fruit
Posted by Corrina Gura on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
Planned Parenthood, the nation's number one abortion provider, has been having a series of "Community Forums" across Illinois to promote Illionis HB2354, the Reproductive Health and Access Act (RHAA).
This bill is essentially the Illinois version of the so-called Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Earlier in February, the Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood was able to scuttle one of these meetings in Aurora.
Around that same time, the Pro-Life Action League received word that Planned Parenthood would be hosting two similar events in Rock Island, Illinois taking place February 15 and 25.
Since I used to attend Augustana College near there, I immediately sounded the alarm to all of my pro-life contacts in the Quad Cities. Despite having only a few days notice—and bad weather—they mobilized a group to stand in front of Java handing out flyers explaining why the RJAA is a bad piece of legislation.
Jeanne Wonio, coordinator of the Bettendorf 40 Days for Life vigil and a devoted sidewalk counselor, spoke to Theo, the owner of Java, urging him to not allow his coffee shop to be the site of this event. Unfortunately Theo, despite his Catholic roots, wouldn’t tell Planned Parenthood to host their event elsewhere.
But Planned Parenthood didn’t even show up that night. So there were no letters written in support of RJAA. Instead, Lorrie Bowman, president of Quad City Right to Life, wrote a letter to the editor against the RJAA, which was published in the local paper the day before their second event was scheduled.
In fact, Cathy Bein of Quad City Right to Life called the League on the afternoon of the 24th. Illinois State Representative Pat Verschoore, who the letter pointed out was a sponsor of RJAA, had called their office to complain. His office had gotten a number of phone calls from people angry at his sponsorship of this awful piece of legislation!
Despite their no-show the first time, we found out that Planned Parenthood was still planning to host the second event on Wednesday, February 25—Ash Wednesday. I drove out to the Quad Cities to lend a hand to the efforts and to bring some of our favorite signs to the protest—"Planned Parenthood lies to you;" "Planned Parenthood kills babies;" and "Stop abortion now."
Our flyer was modified to show the new name and number of the RJAA, which has a new name for the new legislative session. The RJAA is now the "Reproductive Health and Access Act" (RHAA, HB 2354). It’s still the same awful bill, though.
Six of us gathered in front of Java—one woman even missed Mass on Ash Wednesday for the first time in her life in order to protest Planned Parenthood's actions. As usual, the pro-lifers outnumbered the pro-aborts, even though we had to stand outside in the cold! A group of three Planned Parenthood staffers arrived around 5:30. One woman joined them later in the evening. But no students showed up and they chatted with very few people in the coffee shop.
On the other hand, those of us outside passed out a number of flyers and spoke to the majority of Java's patrons as they were entering or exiting. We had a very lengthy, stimulating discussion with several Augustana students on a variety of life issues.
Overall the event was a success. Thanks to Quad City Right to Life for their help with this event, for the pro-lifers who called Representative Boland in outrage at this bill, and to the faithful pro-lifers who showed up to protest.
If one ought not even try to "legislate morality", than shouldn't trying to 'legislate immorality'(foca) be exceedingly difficult?
March 8th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Prolifers the Breakthrough program by Pastor Rod Parsley on on TBN right now 2:30-3pm with an excellent interview of Dr. Bernard Nathanson and Carol Everett former abortionist and abortion clinic owner is an expose of the lies that have been told to sell abortion to this country. Rev. Parsley is talking about FOCA the lies, manipulation and money making machine of Planned Parenthood. You can probably see a tape of this on another Christian channel today. It is an excellent plea for the people to stand up against abortion by going on his website rodparsley.com.
March 9th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Sorry,I forgot about the daylight savings time change the Rod Parsley Breakthrough program was actually on at 3:30-4pm on TBN. Dr. Nathanson talked about the forgiveness God has given to him but he said the weight of "the holocaust still haunts him".
March 9th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Church excommunicates mother of 9-year-old rape victim – but not accused rapist
Brazil rocked by abortion for raped child
Monday, 9 March 2009
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Declaring that "life must always be protected", a senior Vatican cleric has defended the Catholic Church's decision to excommunicate the mother and doctors of a nine-year-old rape victim who had a life-saving abortion in Brazil.
Cardinal Giovanni Batista Re, who heads the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, told reporters that although the girl fell pregnant after apparently being abused by her stepfather, her twins had, "the right to live, and could not be eliminated".
In an interview with the Italian newspaper, La Stampa, the cardinal added: "It is a sad case but the real problem is that the twins conceived were two innocent persons. Life must always be protected."
Police believe the girl was sexually assaulted for years by her stepfather, possibly since she was six. That she was four months pregnant with twins emerged only after she was taken to hospital complaining of severe stomach pains.
The controversy represents a PR nightmare for the Vatican. The unnamed girl's mother and doctors were excommunicated for agreeing to Wednesday's emergency abortion yet the Church has not taken formal steps against the stepfather, who is in custody. Jose Cardoso Sobrinho, the conservative regional archbishop for Pernambuco where the girl was rushed to hospital, has said that the man would not be thrown out of the Church, because although he had allegedly committed "a heinous crime", the Church took the view that "the abortion, the elimination of an innocent life, was more serious".
The case has set off fierce debate in Brazil, where abortion is permitted only in cases of rape or a medical emergency. Brazil is one of the most populous Catholic countries, but conservative attitudes in rural areas are strongly at odds with the relatively progressive public view of abortion in major cities.
Even the President, Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, has waded into the row. "As a Christian and a Catholic, I deeply regret that a bishop of the Catholic Church has such a conservative attitude," he said "The doctors did what had to be done: save the life of a girl of nine years old. In this case, the medical profession was more right than the Church."
One of the doctors involved in the abortion, Rivaldo Albuquerque, has raised the prospect of public clashes at his local church, telling Globo, the nation's main TV network, that he would keep going to mass there, regardless of the archbishop's order. The young girl at the centre of the case escaped excommunication only because she is still a child in the eyes of Church authorities. The stepfather, who is 23, was arrested last week, apparently trying to escape to another region of the country. Police say he is also suspected of abusing the girl's handicapped 14-year-old sister. He is in protective custody, and if convicted faces up to 15 years in prison.
THOUGHTS????
March 10th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Above substantially similar to the "played out" case in the FORUM - MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH - "Abortion Tug-O-War"?
March 11th, 2009 at 2:39 am
Except the FORUM'S case seems to have hope for the future (because of no abortion), whereas this one proceeded with an abortion.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:43 am
Very sad case indeed, if all of the facts are really true as you reported, Student. I find it always interesting that pro-abortion proponents will go off topic when they are hearing the truth about the horrible lies of the abortion industry and PP (i.e. Dr. Nathanson admitting to lying to get Roe vs. Wade passed) and how they look to find one "hard case" that accounts for 1% of the abortion holocaust of millions of innocent babies being slaughtered. The "right to choose" to have a woman's cervix dialated, a curette inserted to mutilate and dismember a baby and have him suctioned out by powerful vacuum always seems to trump any lies that were told to make abortion legal. It is interesting that an attack on the Catholic Church seemed in order so Student brings up this story. A 9 year old being raped is horrible, the mother letting a 23 y.o. sexual predator have access to her daughters is worse. Why it is "life-threatening" to carry this baby to term is a medical question not really addressed in the info given. If this 9 y.o. child's life was in jeopardy, I would "Choose Life" for her, and hopefully her parish would get her out of this horrible "home".
This case may be true, however it made me think about the case of the 13 year old "father" in the UK (who is so pre-pubescent that he looked to be 11), later it was reported that the 15 year old mother had several 14-15 year old sexual partners, who probably fathered her baby, so it was probably not the 13 year old's baby.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:21 am
A simple Google news search will turn up more information on this than you likely have time to read.
You view it as an "attack on the RCC?" I simply asked for your thoughts — nothing more. It's my personal opinion that the response of the RCC is deplorable, but I didn't state my thoughts at all in the original posting.
Agreed. Personally, I have no problem with the step-father being strung up by his toes and set on fire.
Do you have children? A 9 y.o. isn't physically capable of safely carrying the pregnancy of twins to term. Why anyone would even think to suggest that she could/should is unfathomable to me. Again, do a Google news search and you will come up with multiple physicians stating that she could not safely continue this pregnancy.
I assume that means you would favor allowing her the abortion? While I agree that she should be removed from the home, it is up to the state (not her parish) to accomplish this.
I'm not familiar with this at all.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I do wonder if the Vatican will reverse the excommunication decision (I don’t know whether they can, though…). If the girl's life TRULY was endangered by the pregnancy, it's not the same as having an abortion for no medical reason. However, very few cases exist where a woman's life is truly at risk. Most times they say her life is at risk, but they mean her personal life or her social life or her psychological welfare–very different from your actual life (life or death).
Did you know that the youngest girl to ever give birth was 5 years old? Being nine years old doesn't mean she can't necessarily carry the child, though her doctors may have assumed that's what it meant. Wikipedia has a list of many very young mothers.
The only good thing that comes from this situation is that the "step-father" can no longer continue to molest this child. Pregnancy resulting from rape and incest is the best way to bring the abuse to light—that’s why so many abusers rush their victims to the abortion clinic ASAP: so no one will have to find out.
ChooseLife–you're right about Student's misdirection. I pointed out in one of my "Why Planned Parenthood" posts that she often finds criticisms of the Catholic Church to mislead us from the discussion. It’s a logical fallacy (red herring) and doesn’t answer your points at all. But I guess old habits die hard.
-Corrina
PS: If you haven't called your IL representative yet to tell them to vote against this bill, get on it!!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
RED ALERT PROLIFERS: Right now on Rod Parsley's Breakthrough program he is interviewing Norma McCorvey the Jane Doe of Roe v Wade on TBN 3:30-4pm
March 11th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I have not had time to get back to you Student on the case of the 9 y.o. but will try to in the next couple of days. It is not a simple open and shut case.
All pro-lifers notify your congressmen about FOCA. Vote out of office ALL corrupt, pro-death politicians.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Go to FightFOCA.com and sign the petition
March 13th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
The 9-year-old was denied an abortion by one hospital because her life was not deemed to be in danger. So the mother took her to another hospital that would carry out the double homicide (http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09030601.html).
No crime, no matter how tragic, justifies the deliberate murder of innocents.
Under Catholic Canon Law, abortion and the participation in abortion result in automatic excommunication. While not publicly excommunicated, the rapist (assuming he's Catholic) should not receive Communion, lest he eat and drink condemnation upon himself (1 Cor 11), unless he truly repents and receives absolution from a priest. So he is not free of spiritual consequences. Quite the contrary. He too is in the state of mortal sin.
March 14th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
One (Church) focuses on the mother's desire; the other focuses on the rapist and a machine (hospital) that actually murders, seems to be immune to any praise or criticism!
March 15th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
A 9 year old carrying a baby to term does not always present a "life-threatening circumstance" for the mother. Nothing in the circumstances you describe Student, is healthy and normal for a 9 year old. Is this more risky than a healthy, adult pregnancy? I would agree with that. Although PP will probably argue differently, abortion is also very risky for a 9 year old's delicate, immature reproductive organs the dialation of her cervix and the curretage procedure and suctioning inside her tiny uterus are dangerous in themselves. Would "the benefits out way the risks" is a good question and should be explored by a medical and a psychological team without a hidden agenda in either direction. I do not agree that it is automatically within this child's best interest to abort her twins. I will pray for her and her family that since it is already a done deal that from this day forward she will be protected, loved and cared for. Thank God that he can heal her wounded heart and body from what she has been through. He can forgive her sexual abuser but I would want him put away for the rest of his life personally.
If you were not attacking the Catholic church then I do apologize, but it seemed so far off the topic of this blog that it seemed that way to me. Like I said to bring up rape and incest that accounts for only 1% of all the holocaust of millions of abortions seemed suspect to me, as well. Like I said Dr. Nathanson, one of the founders of NARAL, was interviewed and he exposed the lies that NARAL and PP told to get Roe vs. Wade passed. God help you, this nation and this world.
March 15th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Sylvia,
I actually expected better from you than this. I know for a fact that you are a good researcher. Tell me, if I used this as an argument from a PC source would you be accepting of it:
Unnamed doctors "reportedly said" and her mother "reportedly transferred"……There is no source here whatsoever. Do you have any actual evidence that this happened? I can find you plenty of medical sources that claim that an abortion was medically necessary to protect the life and health of this RAPED CHILD. Can you find me any that actually support your position?
Now, I don't know all that much about the RCC, however, it seems unsconscienable to me that they would allow the RAPIST OF A CHILD back in the church while punishing people who are trying to do the right thing by this raped child.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:43 am
A female, by nature, (specifically her reproductive process) can SELF-DESTRUCT?
[which is what would happen if the product of the reproductive process (a conception) causes the death of the female]
March 18th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Yes, Jerry, the "reproductive process" has been known to be fatal to women. Fortunately, this is not common. I am attaching a study which shows 23 deaths in Wisconsin between 1998-2001 for your perusal.
http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/_WMS/publications/wmj/issues/wmj_v103n5/103no5_Mascola.pdf
March 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Student,
Please, lets be in agreement in EXACTLY what we are talking about, namely:
I stated a female would, by nature, be capable of self-distruction if the product of her reproductive process (a conception) caused her death.
Are you saying there case(s) where a zygote caused the death of the mother thereof?
March 20th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Student,
You just shot yourself in the foot with your own cited study. In the youngest category of patients in the study, 15-19 years old, the mortality rate was 0–zip, zero, zilch–far lower than the other age categories. So what's your point exactly? Obviously from this study, younger women are LESS at risk of death from pregnancy complications. Yes, women die from childbirth, but they also die from abortions. And they die from car accidents, violence, diseases, etc.
If the news accounts at the time would have provided more details, I would have given them. Now there is more info forthcoming: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031805.html
And no one is beyond the reach of God's love (even you, Student). God wills that ALL might be saved, even murderers and rapists, and adulterers and thieves. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," Jesus said of those who crucified Him. If the rapist repents, God will forgive him. If the mother and doctor repent, God will forgive them too and they will be welcomed back into His Church. God's mercy triumphs over His justice with the death of His Son. Jesus paid the debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay. And He waits for you, Student.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Sylvia,
I disagree with your assessment of the study I provided (in response to JV's post that pregnancy couldn't be fatal). From your response, I gather you think the younger the girl the better the outcome of her pregnancy? If this is true, perhaps we should be encouraging 9-11 y.o.'s to become pregnant and have babies — it would certainly be far healthier than to wait until they are in their mid/late 20's or early 30's.
Regardless, thank you for the link. I did read it. It matters not to me what any clergy member has to say about this case. I'm far more concerned about the health and welfare of this raped child. You didn't offer the opinion of even a single physician who had actually examined this girl. I understand you are vehemently opposed to abortion, however, being unwilling to make an exception in a case such as this is, to me, unconscienable. I assume you are aware that there are women dying in South America from ectopic pregnancies due to the stance of the church no abortion. Are you ok with this as well?
As to your thoughts on Jesus/God, I send you the blessings of Horus, Dionysus and Mithras. Their mercy triumphs over death as well. They await you, Sylvia.
You're an atheist too, I just take it one god further than you.
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Yes, that's what I'm saying.
A specific example, due in part to a law supported and pushed by the RCC, is the death of Olga Reyes. There was no need for this young woman to die.
March 22nd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Student,
"JV's post that pregnancy couldn't be fatal"
Misquote Sir!!!
I said "nature would be able to self-destruct if CONCEPTION causes the death of a female".
March 22nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Student,
"from ectopic pregnancies due to the stance of the church no abortion"
Are you saying the church in South America advocates doing nothing when ectopic pregnancy occurs? (and thus the women dies)
Also if the church advocates the removal of the tube,(ectopic pregnancy)to save the life of the woman, that you are saying this is abortion?
March 22nd, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Horus, Dionysus and Mithras are all about death and darkness…..just what in hell is their MERCY???
March 22nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Yes, Jerry, that's exactly what I'm saying. I posted something earlier (w/links you can read for yourself, but it is "awaiting moderation.")
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Then you have my apologies, sir. I find your posts to be very disjointed and difficult to understand. It was not my intention to misquote you.
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Student,
The teaching of the church needs to be understood, not just from the example of one case, but in total. Please check out these links:
Re: Is abortion OK in the case of an ectopic pregnancy?
Re: What is the Church's teaching on ectopic pregnancy?
Ectopic for Discussion: A Catholic Approach to Tubal Pregnancies (read most of it and it seems a good presentation of the issues)
God Bless,
Roger
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:17 am
Student,
You're grasping at straws. The link you provided simply proved that young women could safely handle pregnancy. Of course, there are mortalities at every age if you look hard enough to find other studies, but pregnancy is not necessarily life-threatening for young women, as your study showed.
There is more news forthcoming at LifeSiteNews.com on this particular girl's case. Look it up yourself. I don't have time to hold your hand. The latest news says that the doctors at the hospital she was first taken to had found no threat to her life. Go ask the hospital who their doctors are if you really care to know.
And what does this case have to do with ectopic pregnancies? Non sequitur.
Horus, Dionysus and Mithras are nobodies. There is only one true God, whom you will meet one day, ready or not, like it or not. You will see someday.
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:55 am