Dear Parish Respect Life Coordinators,
The information revealed in the Planned Parenthood videos over the last two weeks was likely
not a surprise for many of us in the respect life ministry; the practice of selling organs and tissue
from aborted babies first surfaced in 1999. The videos released over the last few weeks are
heartbreaking as we comprehend the fate of so many unborn children. The videos, though, afford
the respect life community an opportunity to make progress in our efforts to respect and legally
protect every life from conception to natural death.
Please pray for the conversion of all those complicit in the abortion industry – many of them are
involved because of an unrecognized and unhealed wound from abortion. Pray for courage for
our political leaders that they see this fight through, regardless of the impact on their careers.
Pray for healing for those who have been wounded by an abortion. Cardinal O’Malley noted in a
recent statement, “If the Planned Parenthood news coverage has caused anyone to experience
revived trauma from their own involvement in abortion, be assured that any and all persons will
be welcomed with compassion and assistance through the Church’s post-abortion healing
ministry, Project Rachel. If you or someone you know would like confidential, nonjudgmental
help, please visit www.projectrachel.com.” This link will give Cardinal O’Malley’s complete
statement: http://www.usccb.org/news/2015/15-117.cfm. In the Archdiocese of St. Louis anyone
can call 314-792-7565 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for
free, professional, confidential counseling.
The Missouri bishops released a statement about the Planned Parenthood videos and the need for
an investigation into the allegations proposed by the videos. The statement says in part,
“Regardless of whether any current law has been violated, it is reprehensible that a civilized
society would tolerate the trading of body parts from aborted babies. Any full investigation
should explore not only if current laws are violated, but also whether new laws are needed to
prevent this barbaric practice in Missouri.” Read the full statement at
www.stlouisreview.com/TjX.
The secular press is traditionally biased in reporting issues of this nature. It was pressure from
social media that led the secular press to finally cover the trial of Kermit Gosnell. Keep
developments about this issue alive through social media and in conversations with family and
friends. The secular press has repeatedly stated that the videos have been edited and therefore are
not reliable evidence of any wrongdoing. The videos, produced by the Center for Medical
Progress, are available to anyone in their entirety at http://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/.
The Women Betrayed rally on July 28, organized by Students for Life of America, was noted in
a recent St. Louis Review article available through this link:
http://stlouisreview.com/article/2015-07-29/st-louisans-show. On a federal level, efforts to
defund Planned Parenthood have produced S. 1881 scheduled, as of now, for a vote Monday
afternoon. Senator Roy Blunt is one of the bill’s sponsors. More information can be found at
http://www.lifenews.com/2015/07/29/new-senate-bill-introduced-to-totally-de-fund-plannedparenthood-senate-will-vote-next-week/. In the Missouri Assembly, a committee has been
formed to investigate the operations of Planned Parenthood in Missouri as well as the license
issued to the Planned Parenthood clinic in Columbia allowing chemical abortions beginning in
August and surgical abortions in the future. The Missouri Catholic Conference reports as
follows: http://www.mocatholic.org/uncategorized/legislators-investigating-columbia-plannedparenthood-license/.
We know that the battle for life has ultimately already been won, but we are asked to be faithful
as we strive to nurture a Culture of Life. We can increase our efforts to pray and fast – we can
always speak the truth with love. With the help of God we will each do what we can within our
sphere of influence to defend His gift of life.
Blessings,
Maureen Kane
Program Manager, Respect Life Apostolate
Archdiocese of St. Louis
20 Archbishop May Drive
St. Louis, MO 63119
p: 314.792.7559
[email protected]
Each of us is the result of a thought of God.
Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary. --Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI