Voices for Life

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

67 "Women in White" Expose Abortion Dangers at America's Worst Planned Parenthood

By Cheryl Sullenger
Operation Rescue

St. Louis, MO - Marking the day that Missouri's new abortion safety and accountability law, SB5, went into effect, 67 women dressed all in white provided a dramatic backdrop to a press conference outside the high-volume Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis last Tuesday that emphasized the need for the new law.

The demonstrators wore white to represent the 67 women who have required emergency medical transport to local hospitals since 2009, after receiving abortions at the notorious Planned Parenthood facility. Those injured women - covered with white sheets - were removed from the abortion business on gurneys and loaded into awaiting ambulances.

Each of the "Women in White" held placards with a date indicating when specific medical emergencies took place. Records obtained from the St. Louis Fire Department by Operation Rescue and eye-witness reports provided documentation for the number of emergencies, 40% of which involved hemorrhaging that could not be controlled by Planned Parenthood's staff of abortionists.

Continue reading here!

Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America. Operation Rescue is now headquartered in a former abortion clinic that it bought and closed in 2006. From there, Operation Rescue launches its innovative new strategies across the nation, exposing and closing abortion clinics through peaceful, legal means. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to stop abortion and ultimately restore legal personhood to the pre-born in obedience to biblical mandates. For more information or to make a donation to help them with their work, please use this link.

Planned Parenthood Sex-Ed Program for 12-Year-Olds on Hold After Hundreds of Parents Protest

By Micaiah Bilger
Life News

North Carolina parents expressed outrage this week after learning that the abortion chain Planned Parenthood was scheduled to teach sex education their middle school children.

WRAL News reports Cumberland County middle schools put the program on hold this month after hundreds of parents voiced their concerns about the program and the abortion business that is teaching it.

Planned Parenthood’s sex education program “Get Real” was to be taught to six-, seventh- and eighth-grade students over a 10-day period, according to the report.

School officials said parents and students may opt out of the program or specific lessons. However, after receiving so many comments from concerned parents, they agreed to halt the program, and the school board is reviewing the curriculum, according to the report.

Here’s more from the local news:

Hundreds of parents packed an informational meeting Monday night to get an outline of the “Get Real” program. …

“I don’t need somebody else teaching my kids, as they put it in there, ‘the myths and facts about your sexuality.’ That’s something the parents need to do,” parent Nick Quello said. “I just don’t think that’s appropriate for a 12-year-old, whether it be a boy or a girl, to be teaching them that.”

Quello and other parents expressed concern about some of the language and items used to teach the course, such as discussions on sexual preference and demonstrations of how to use a condom. They’re also concerned that it comes from Planned Parenthood.

Pro-life evangelical leader Franklin Graham praised the parents for their involvement, CBN News reports.

Life News article continues

Pro-life Irish Student Union President Impeached

“To convict someone of the crime of refusing to commit a crime is a dangerous precedent”

By Dave Andrusko
National Right to Life

Even 3,500 miles away, you could see this one coming. Last Thursday, 69% of the 6,600 students who cast a ballot did so in favor of ousting pro-life Katie Ascough as President of the students at University College Dublin Students’ Union (UCDSU).

As The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) reported mid-month, the impeachment referendum began with a petition signed by 1,200 students. They were protesting Ms. Ascough’s decision to remove illegal abortion information from a pamphlet given to new students. Ascough’s pro-life credentials were well known when she ran for the office.

During the preparation for last Thursday referendum vote and in a full subsequent explanation Ascough gave that appeared in the Irish Examiner, she repeatedly made the point she had not turned her back on her promise to “respect the pro-choice mandate of the union.”

But what happened put her in an impossible position. What’s called the ‘Winging It’ magazine, which is given to all new students, carried information that (according to SPUC) “included the prices of abortion in other countries and information on abortion pills, including a promotion for Women on the Web. Providing information on abortion overseas is strictly regulated in Ireland, under the Regulation of Information (Services outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act, 1995.”

Ascough wrote, “After the books had arrived, a staff member informed me that some of the abortion information might be illegal. I sought legal advice from the Union’s solicitor, who confirmed in writing that distribution of the books was almost certainly illegal and that it would be prudent to avoid proceeding with the book, whether through redesign (if not too late) or cancellation.” It was too late.

National Right to Life article continues

Unintended Pregnancy: Finding Real Choice After 50 Years of a Broken Abortion Law

By Dr. Mark Houghton
Christian Today

'I was raped. I'm 12 weeks pregnant.' I sat speechless in my clinic while waves of shame ran over me for being a male of our species. My patient had a baby on her arm, a toddler in the other and her address on the notes was 'Homeless'.

After a brief conversation I did what most GPs would do and reached for the pad of official Abortion Law forms to tick the clause saying '... The pregnancy has not exceeded its 24th week and that the continuance would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.' Safe, simple and sorted.

After 20 years of research, I am now convinced that mantra is untrue.

Suddenly, seeing what I was doing, she stood up with a red face:

'I am not going to do an abortion on this baby! What has he done wrong?' Jaw dropping, I was covered in fresh shame for my paternalism, rush and bad care. She didn't want that. She wanted me to help.

Women tell me they are so lonely in their plight. Christian women can be in the worst place, where they find unconditional acceptance from the abortion clinic staff but not in their church. 'Oh, I could never tell my church; I just quietly went to the clinic.'

Indirect evidence suggests that the stated national average, 'One in three British women will have an abortion by age 50,' applies among Christians and Muslims as well. But didn't Christ accept without judgement the condemned sinner who appealed to him on the cross? (Luke 23: 39-43).

How can you help your pregnant friend?

One thing I find so frustrating is how this issue is polarised with pro- and anti-abortionists shouting at each other across a deep divide. In the middle is the ordinary pregnant woman who needs someone to talk to – maybe you.

The 50-year-old law is a broken safety net that has failed millions of our women, their partners and their unborn. With over 8 million British babies aborted so far, our communities have lost a lot.

So firstly, never forget the power of unconditional love and a listening ear – maybe your ear. We can all offer this. Without you there's a high chance your friend will be railroaded into a choice she is not sure she wants, ignorant of the after-effects and unable to unravel her head from her heart. So, how is real choice found?

Christian Today article continues

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Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
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If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available. Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Abortion Clinic Paid Staff Less if Women Didn’t Have Abortions

By Dave Andrusko
Life News

The British newspaper, the Sun, called it an “Abortion Bombshell.” And so it clearly was–the news that one of Britain’s largest abortion providers paid staff bonuses to encourage women to have abortions!

The “damning report” from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a kind of medical watchdog, was the latest in a series of rebukes to the powerful Marie Stopes International.

Susannah Keogh explained what the watchdog group found at the Marie Stopes centre in Maidstone, Kent.

Staff told inspectors that their performance was measured against Key Performance Indicators [KPIs] and were concerned that these indicators included ‘Did Not Proceed.’

This meant that if a patient decided not to go through with an abortion, this decision would be linked to the staff member’s performance bonus.

Quoting from the report, “They (staff) felt that this encouraged staff to ensure that patients underwent abortions. Staff were also concerned that the pressurized environment and linking of KPIs to performance bonuses meant that there was a culture that worked against patient choice.”

“’It is shocking to hear that, at what is often such a difficult and stressful moment, abortion clinics are taking advantage of pregnant women by seeking to do as many abortions as they can, rather than seeking to give genuine, non-directional counselling and advice,” said MP Fiona Bruce.

The Daily Mail today noted, “The report is more damning than any previous inspection.”

Life News article continues

Supreme Court to Decide Soon Whether to Hear Pro-Life Challenge to Compelled Pro-Abortion Speech

By Dave Andrusko

National Right to Life

David Savage, a veteran reporter, “has covered the Supreme Court and legal issues for the Los Angeles Times in the Washington bureau since 1986.” While I often disagree with him, nonetheless he is well respected and has very good contacts.

Savage ran a fascinating piece that appeared this morning that is of intense interest to pregnancy help centers in particular, defenders of the First Amendment in general.

As NRL News Today readers recall, Jay Hobbs of Pregnancy Help News has written story after story tracing the judicial arc of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra, a “challenge to a 2015 California state law that forces locally funded pro-life medical clinics to advertise taxpayer-funded abortions.”

Savage writes that as early as Monday the justices could decide whether they will hear the case. “The justices have considered the appeals for more than three weeks in their weekly conferences, suggesting at least several of them are inclined to hear the cases,” he wrote.

The lawsuit is against California’s so-called Reproductive FACT Act. Ostensibly it is a law (as Savage wrote) passed because the legislature was “concerned that the more than 200 pregnancy centers in California sometimes provided ‘intentionally deceptive advertising and counseling practices that often confuse, misinform and even intimidate women from making fully informed decisions’ about their medical care.”

That no such behavior has occurred and that this is blatantly coerced speech did not bother a panel of the frequently reversed 9th Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. “In a 3-0 ruling, the judges said the state has ample authority to regulate professional speech’ to protect the welfare of patients,” Savage explained.

Hobbs explained how elaborate and detailed are the requirements mandated under the so-called Reproductive FACT Act.

The notice, which the law specifies must either be posted as a public notice in “22-point type,” “distributed to all clients in no less than 14-point font” or distributed digitally “at the time of check-in or arrival,” applies to all pregnancy help medical clinics licensed by the state.

“California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all FDA-approved methods of contraception), prenatal care, and abortion for eligible women. To determine whether you qualify, contact the county social services office at [insert the telephone number].”

National Right to Life article continues

HHS for First Time Ever Makes it the Official Public Policy of the US that Life Begins at Conception

from ACLJ

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) just announced their draft HHS Strategic Plan, FY 2018–2022. Starting in 2010, HHS has been required to release a strategic plan every four years. This time their plan, for the first time ever, has explicitly recognized that life begins at conception. This is a major victory for the rights and dignity of the unborn.

The HHS plan goes well beyond lip service. It incorporates this scientific principle as an integral and holistic part of its healthcare mission here at home and around the globe. Specifically, the fact that life begins at conception is included in four key components of the plan.

Article continues here

Founded in 1990 with the mandate to protect religious and constitutional freedoms, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) engages legal, legislative, and cultural issues by implementing an effective strategy of advocacy, education, and litigation that includes representing clients before the Supreme Court of the United States and international tribunals around the globe. For more information, please use this link.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Archbishop Chaput leads 40 Days vigil

Archbishop Chaput leads the rosary outside
of largest PP in Pennsylvania

Though he has been in Philadelphia for six years, Archbishop Chaput took time on Monday October 23rd to be a part of a prayer vigil outside of the Planned Parenthood facility in Center City Philadelphia. 100 people joined their shepherd in peacefully assembling in front of Planned Parenthood

"We are so blessed to have his excellency to join us for an hour." Monique Ruberu remarked. "My hope is many more of our religious and clergy would muster the courage to be in front of abortion facilities."

Archbishop Chaput reads a reflection
for a joyful mystery

Pope Francis Orders Catholic Group to Stop Offering Euthanasia at Belgian Hospitals

Pope Francis holds an infant at the neonatal unit as he visits the

San Giovanni hospital in Rome, September 16, 2016.

(Photo Osservatore Romano Via Reuters)

By Stoyan Zaimov

Christian Post

Pope Francis and the Vatican have ordered an end to a Belgian Catholic charity's "disloyal" and "outrageous" practice of offering euthanasia at all 15 of its psychiatric hospital centers.

The Brothers of Charity group has reportedly been making use of the legality of euthanasia in Belgium and allowing doctors to offer euthanasia for psychiatric patients in cases where "no reasonable treatment alternatives" are available.

The Holy See Press Office confirmed on Friday that Francis ordered the Catholic group to stop offering euthanasia, which is a controversial practice that goes against Roman Catholic Church doctrine.

The Vatican leader apparently said in a letter to the charity that it must "fully support the vision of the magisterium of the Catholic Church, which has always confirmed that human life must be respected and protected in absolute terms, from the moment of conception till its natural end."

Rene Stockman, the charity's superior general, who delivered the request from Pope Francis, said that "this is the very first time a Christian organization states that euthanasia is an ordinary medical practice that falls under the physician's therapeutic freedom."

"This is disloyal, outrageous and unacceptable," Stockman said, according to The Associated Press.

The decision to allow euthanasia was apparently made by the group's lay board of directors, which prompted an investigation by the Vatican.

The Brothers of Charity has clarified that patients who request to die are granted such permission only if they are in a state of "unbearable suffering." Also, at least three doctors, including one psychiatrist, must be consulted.

Mattias De Vriendt, a spokesman for the Belgian charity, revealed that the group has received requests from patients seeking to end their lives, but did not say whether any procedures had been performed yet.

The Vatican has warned that the charity might face legal action, and could be expelled from the Church unless it reverses its policy.

Christian Post article continues

Texas Abortion Clinics Marred with Health, Safety Issues, Inspection Reveals

By Charles Fain Lehman
Washington Free Beacon

New detailed inspection reports reveal dozens of violations of health and safety standards by Whole Woman's Health (WWH), a chain of abortion clinics that saysit is "committed to changing the culture around abortion stigma."

The new documents, inspection reports between 2011 and 2017 from the Texas Department of State Health Services, were obtained by And Then There Were None (ATTWN), a nonprofit group that "exists to help abortion clinic workers leave the abortion industry."

The documents show a widespread problem of health violations at WWH clinics. Staff failed to properly disinfect and sterilize equipment used on multiple women, and were not properly trained in the sterilization of surgical instruments. In 2011, the Beaumont, Texas, clinic did not have a registered nurse on staff, in contravention of legal requirements.

The inspector's reports also expressed concerns about maintenance of medical equipment.

"There was [sic] numerous rusty spots on the suction machine used on the patient for evacuation of the products of conception," the Beaumont report notes. In multiple cases, supplies and medication were found to be clearly expired.

Facilities themselves were also in disrepair, with floors that were "stained and discolored which gives the appearance of being dirty." A 2016 report on the McAllen, Texas, facility notes a counter so warped it "was no longer a wipeable surface, which could harbor bacteria and infectious matter." The reports also show cracks, rips, and tears on exam tables' covers, and a hole in cabinet flooring that had "the likelihood to allow rodents to enter the facility."

In the most recent report, investigating the Austin facility, investigators found missing stock of fentanyl, the schedule narcotic linked to thousands of overdose deaths.

These reports are part of broader concerns about the safety standards of abortion clinics. According to a report from the pro-life advocacy group Americans United for Life, between 2008 and 2016, 227 abortion clinics, including six Whole Woman's Health clinics, were cited for over 1,400 health and safety deficiencies. These included failures to ensure a "safe and sanitary environment" and failures to properly handle patients' private information.

Washington Free Beacon report continues