The Philadelphia ME Continues To Fail Gosnell's Victims By Denying Them A Proper Burial

From Mike McMonagle,  
Pro-Life Coalition of PA

OUR RESPONSE

The response of numerous local and national pro-life organizations to this situation is to schedule "A Cry For Dignity" on Sunday, August 25, 2013 and Monday, August 26, 2013.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

 6-8 P.M.

There will be educational and motivational presentations in Mitchell Auditoriun, which is on the first floor of the Bossone Research Center at 3140 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 on the campus of Drexel University. This location is just off the 30th Street Exit of the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) and ample on-street and paid parking lot parking is available.

Confirmed speakers include the following:

• Cristina Barba, the National Director of Generation Life

• Troy Newman the National Director of Operation Rescue

• Rev. Patrick Mahoney, The Director of the Christian Defense Coalition

• Catherine Foster, Esq., an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom

Fr. Frank Pavone, the National Director of Priests for Life, is an invited speaker.   

Mike McMonagle, a leader in the Philadelphia area pro-life movement, will deliver welcoming remarks and an explanation of the upcoming activities.     

 8-8:45 P.M.

 There will be a Candlelight Procession to Gosnell's closed abortion chamber at 38th and Lancaster, which is approximately a 15 minute walk from the Mitchell Auditorium.

Monday, August 26, 2013 11 A. M.-12:30P.M.

There will be a public witness and prayer service at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's office at 321 University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, which is at the corner of Curie Ave. just off the University Ave. Exit of I-76. There is no on-street parking and the nearest parking garage is an approximately a ten minute walk. Some pro-life citizens are considering an act of civil disobedience, such as praying along the wall of the ME's building, to dramatize our request for the proper treatment of the bodies of these children by the ME.

WHY THE BURIAL OF THESE CHILDREN'S BODIES MATTERS

 Gosnell's first degree murder convictions emphasized that these children were children under state law. An affirmation of their personhood and their human dignity requires that their bodies receive a proper burial. Such an affirmation also reminds our fellow citizens of the brutality and injustice of the abortion industry.       

AN EXPLANATION OF THE FAILURES OF THE 

PHILADELPHIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT

 The Pa. Department of Health (DOH) and the Philadelphia Health Department (PHD) share Gosnell's guilt for his killing of children before and after birth. For many years, the DOH and the PHD refused to inspect or respond to complaints about Gosnell's West Philadelphia abortion chamber. Donald Schwartz, M.D., a pediatrican and the current Director of the PHD, even referred the children who were his patients to Gosnell.

 The PHD runs the ME's Office.Since the February 18, 2010 raid on Gosnell's abortion chamber,  the ME has held the bodies of approximately 25 children who were some of Gosnell's murder victims as evidence for his trial. Under Pa. law, after the trial, the ME has the authority to release the bodies of these children to interested third parties for burial if no family member claims the body, which has not occured. The leaders of local and national pro-life orgnizations, as well as Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, have requested the bodies of these children for burial.

The ME has not only refused this request but has also refused to publicly state their plans for the burial of these bodies. A very senior City official, in a private conversation, stated that the reason for this refusal is to avoid taking the pro-life side of "abortion politics".

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THESE ACTIVITIES!