By Matthew Wagner, Education Director

Editor’s Note:  This post is a continuation of a series of “Pro-Life Heroes”…individuals who are making a difference for the pro-life movement in their communities.  

It is often said that today’s youth are the pro-life generation. Juliana Kriner and her young friends exemplify that message.  Juliana is the Vice President/Director of Outreach of “reLOVE.”  Enjoy her story.  You can find reLOVE on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/reLOVEnational/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/reloventl/ . 

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for future “Pro-Life Heroes” blogs.  If you know of someone we should talk to who is making a difference for those who can’t defend themselves, email me at lifelines@paprolife.org .

Matt:  Tell me about yourself. Why are you pro-life, and what does that mean to you?

Juliana:  I am a 15 year old sophomore in Williamsport. I love the band Fall Out Boy almost as much as I love my niece (and my other [preborn] niece and nephew). I’m an avid activist for social justice and I definitely consider myself a feminist. I’m pro-life because I’m such a huge feminist. Every single human being on this Earth is valuable and deserved the utmost respect, regardless of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or age. I believe, as our feminist foremothers did, that abortion is a tool of the patriarchy and a result of greed.  Abortion allows women to be taken control of by others. Over 60% of women say that they have been “pressured” or “coerced” into having an abortion, often by the men in their life. Truthfully, most men who consider themselves pro-choice, just don’t want to be responsible if their girlfriend or wife becomes pregnant. Abortion enables men to take advantage of women. It’s as if men view women as less worthy if we become pregnant. In the end, abortion does a fantastic job of supporting men who simply refuse to grow up.

Matt:  What is reLOVE, and how did it get started?

Juliana:  reLOVE is an organization geared toward helping mothers and women of all kinds:  pregnant, new, post-miscarriage, and post-abortive. We are three teenagers that uphold the consistent life ethic.  One of my best friends, Purity Thomas, came up with the idea for reLOVE a few months after she was assaulted outside of Roanoke’s Planned Parenthood…She knew that the best way to combat hate was through love. (Editor’s Note: For more on the story of Purity’s assault, click here) She messaged me and asked if reLOVE was something I would be interested in. I was ecstatic that she had asked for my help. Soon, we asked my friend, Taniya Smith, to help us as well. Taniya, who runs a popular pro-life Instagram, was just as excited as I was to help women. Thus, reLOVE was born.

Matt:  What do you do for pregnant mothers?

Juliana:  For pregnant mothers, every situation is different. One mama might only need directions to her local pregnancy center or a pack of onesies. Others might need help getting insurance or paying their utilities. Really, we help these women based on their needs. We don’t turn anyone down either. It’s important to us that if these women need help, we’ll be here to provide.

Matt:  How do these mothers find out about you?

Juliana:  So far, social media has been the most popular place for women to find us. We also actively seek out to find these mothers that need help in unplanned pregnancy support groups or through mutual friends on Facebook. Really, social media is the connection point. A lot of these women are very active on these platforms so it’s especially important to put ourselves out there and to be as visible as possible.

Matt:  I know you’ve only been in existence a short time, but can you share some of your success stories?

Juliana:  We’ve had the absolute honor of helping 4 different women in our short time. Our one mother is 4.5 months. When she came to us, she was 8 weeks along and had just come out of a domestic violence situation. We got her set up with a birth center where she’s excited to have her baby later this year. We’re helping her manage her debt and budgeting in order to save for her baby. She came to us nervous, not sure how she was going to manage being a mother, now she can’t wait to find out the gender of the baby and enjoy the rest of her pregnancy.

Matt:  Often pro-lifers hear that they are not really “pro-life” but are just “pro-birth”…implying that we don’t really care about the baby or mother after he or she is born. How do you respond to that?

Juliana:  I’ll be honest, that argument really does upset me. I don’t think a lot of people understand how many pro-lifers really do care for the mother and the baby. Our organization is an example of that love and support extending past pregnancy. One of our amazing mamas is 10 months postpartum with her adorable daughter. She’s been having trouble with rent and utilities. We’ve set up a GoFundMe for her rent and utilities as well as an Amazon wish list for her material needs. She’s so grateful for all those people who helped her. She sent us a bunch of pictures of her little girl with a pair of the gifted socks on because she was just that excited. It just really warms your heart when you see these women so thankful over simple things that most people would take for granted.

Matt:  What do you hear the most when you tell people about ReLOVE, and how do you respond?

Juliana:  Most people are very supportive and are pretty impressed that two 15 year olds and one 16 year old can run an organization, go to school, and work part time jobs. It’s really about the passion though. We all love what we’re doing and we get emotional quite often about how lucky we are to meet these powerful women and be able to walk with them through their journeys. Other people however, are skeptical. They wonder what these teenagers are doing with the donated money. Trust us, it’s going to these mamas. We even raised enough money for one of our mothers (who was going to place her baby into an adoptive family) to take a few days off of work after she suffered a miscarriage. We were the only ones there for her since she hadn’t told anyone other than us about the pregnancy. We thought it would be best for her to rest, emotionally and physically, during and after her miscarriage. That’s what the money goes to, nothing but supporting the mothers and our mission.

Matt:  What would you say to a pregnant mother considering abortion?

Juliana:  The most important thing to say to a woman considering abortion is “you are so loved.” When a woman finds out she’s pregnant, there’s so many emotions going on. It’s easy to panic and throw information at her about how far along she is or that her baby has a heartbeat. Right now, she just needs someone to talk to. Empowerment is key. Let her know that she can do it. That she is strong and nothing can break her. Be sure to let her know that you care about her. So many people make the mistake of focusing on the baby but the woman is who you’re here to help. If you’re not helping that mama, you’re not helping anyone. Without the mama, that baby’s not even there! Lastly, make sure she knows that regardless of her decision, you’ll be there for her. If she chooses abortion, ask her what you can do to help. Sometimes, you can’t save the baby, but you can still care for that mom.

Matt:  If people want to get involved with ReLOVE, how would they do so?

Juliana:  If people want to get involved with reLOVE, just message us! There’s always something to do!  We might be having trouble finding some resources in a certain area or maybe there’s a pregnant mom near you who just needs a friend to talk to.  We can find you something you’d love to do.

Matt:  What do you see for the future for reLOVE?

Juliana:  The future of reLOVE definitely comes when we officially file as a nonprofit. Since we’re all minors, we have to find someone to actually sign the paperwork for us! Right now, we’re just focusing on getting more funds and helping more moms. Now this is a huge step but I believe that a good goal to strive for is to have a reLOVE representative in every state. Right now, we have Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, and Washington state covered. Things can only get better from here!

By Matthew Wagner, Education Director
lifelines@paprolife.org

I have a confession to make.

I don’t like “horror films.”   When I was young, I remember being grossed out and unable to sleep because of the scene in one of the Pee-wee Herman movies (I’m not even sure which it was) in which one character’s head spins backwards and it is making a scary face.   I won’t see the new Jurassic Park movie because I have no desire to view the bloody images that I’m afraid will be on display.

That being said, I am looking forward to the nationwide release on October 12, 2018 of Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer, the long-anticipated movie about the “house of horrors” run by Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell.

How do I justify the juxtaposition of my opposition to gory movies and my interest in Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer?  I spoke at great length with coproducer, and 2018 Celebrate Life Banquet speaker, Ann McElhinney this year about the movie. One of the points she emphasized was the producer’s focus on staying true to the nature of the story, while not sensationalizing and over-exaggerating the graphic aspect of it.  The filmmakers wanted to tell the story of Gosnell’s victims to as broad an audience as possible, as evidenced by the PG-13 rating the film has been given. Coproducer Phelim McAleer recently told Lifenews.com in an interview “…We want to make a film that people want to go and see. And in there’s the truth, and it’s up to people to take that and run with it.”

I want to reassure all of those who shy away from gore as I do that Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer will not confront anyone with horrific bloody images or gory descriptions that were part of everyday business in Gosnell’s “house of horrors” in Philadelphia.  The story of Gosnell is provocative enough without being sensationalized.  I look forward to seeing each of you at the theater October 12^th, and then again at the 2018 Celebrate Life Banquet on October 18^th!!!

     I recently have been doing some reading on the battle of Gettysburg, right here in Pennsylvania, and its significance in the Civil War.  Gettysburg was the farthest North the Confederate Army advanced, and when the Confederates were turned back there, it was a turning point in the war.

I believe that we may be experiencing the same thing right now in the effort to treat all humans with dignity.  An argument can be made that Donald Trump becoming President was the beginning of a turning point in the battle over abortion.  Consider the tremendous pro-life achievements of President Trump in the last two years, and compare them to where we would be right now if Hillary Clinton had become President.  With the election of Donald Trump, we have seen a recognition of the pre-born baby as a human being, the deliberate redirection of funds away from facilities providing abortions, and we are seeing a fundamental shift in the Supreme Court toward a strict interpretation of the Constitution.  Had the radically pro-abortion Hillary Clinton won, we would be working hard to make sure abortions aren’t forced on people.  We would have to be defending pro-life organization’s ability to speak up for their beliefs without being defunded. Finally, our President who would be appointing radical pro-abortion justices to the Supreme Court, rather than justices who may one day rule that there never was a right to abortion in the Constitution.

None of that is to say that our work is done, but it is to serve as a reminder that our work is just beginning.  Here are five ways you can get involved today and bring an end to the horrors of abortion.

1. Visit our website at paprolife.org and click on the “join one” link under the “chapters” tab. Find a chapter in your area and get involved…or if there is not one in your area, consider starting one.
2. Identify the local fairs, festivals, and carnivals in your area and set up a pro-life information table. The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation would be happy to send you all the pro-life material you may need. Give us a call at 717-541-0034 or email lifelines@paprolife.org.
3. Call your State Senator and ask him or her to vote for House Bill 2050, the Down Syndrome Protection Act.
4. Write a letter to the editor supporting Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment to the Supreme Court,
5. Call your local pro-life pregnancy center and see how you can support it. A list of all these centers in Pennsylvania can be found at paprolife.org/pregnancy-centers-in-pa/.

Whatever you do, make sure to join the fight to end abortion and remind people they can always choose life!

Independence Day is a great day to remember that our nation was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Of course, you can’t have liberty or pursue happiness, unless you have life!

So as you gather with friends and family over the holiday to celebrate our nation’s independence, remind your loved ones of the importance of life by sharing with them information about the candidates who want to protect the pre-born. You can start by showing them this education piece comparing the pro-life candidate for US Senate Lou Barletta and his opponent Bob Casey. You can also show them this comparison of pro-life candidate for Governor Scott Wagner and the radically pro-abortion incumbent Democrat Governor Tom Wolf.

Thank you for educating people about the candidates who stand up for one of our nation’s founding principles, the right to life!

By Matthew Wagner, Education Director
lifelines@paprolife.org

Once upon a time, abortion activists claimed they wanted abortions to be “safe, legal, and rare.”  They tried to say that no one was really “pro-abortion,” but that they thought it should be available in certain circumstances.  It’s interesting to consider how that position has changed over the years.

Do abortion activists believe abortion should be safe? We know abortions are never “safe” for the babies being killed, but recent history tells us abortion activists don’t really care about whether abortions are “safe” for the mother either.  Planned Parenthood and the rest of Big Abortion have worked tirelessly to oppose common sense regulations that would require abortion centers to meet basic health and safety standards.  They keep pushing for fewer and fewer regulations on the abortion pill, despite growing evidence it is not safe for the mothers. They ignore statistics about women injured in abortion, physically, mentally and emotionally. Even the most recent investigation into Planned Parenthood by Live Action reveals Planned Parenthood officials do not appear to care how safe the abortion is for the victims of sexual abuse. It appears that the only people they want to be safe are the abusers and sex traffickers they work to protect.

Do abortion activists believe abortions should be rare?  Again, the clear answer is no.  The abortion industry has worked for years to normalize abortion.  They want women who have had abortions to celebrate them and Big Abortion ostracizes and ignores women who regret the abortions they had. Abortion activists actively advocate for policies to make abortions more common and easier to obtain, rather than policies encouraging alternatives to abortion to make abortions rarer.

Do abortionists want abortions to be legal?  Not only do abortion activists want abortion to be legal, they advocate for legislation that will promote abortion rather than discourage it.

It is clear than that the abortion industry is no longer interested in abortions being safe, legal and rare.  Rather they want abortions on demand, through all stages of pregnancy, to be celebrated afterwards.  Most importantly, what they seem to care about more than anything is that abortions are lucrative, no matter what the cost to the mothers and their babies.

From National Right to Life:

The clock is running on a 60-day comment period regarding the proposed Protect Life rule to make changes to the Title X family planning program. While we expect the rule to be finalized, we are asking you to submit supportive comments using as guidelines the key points below.  Additionally, any experts, advocates, or public officials who have specialized concerns on the Title X program should also be encouraged to comment.

To submit a comment:

1. Access the published proposed rule at this link:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/06/01/2018-11673/compliance-withstatutory-program-integrity-requirements#open-comment

2. Write a message to Health and Human Services Secretary Azar using the KEY POINTS below.

KEY POINTS

• Existing Title X regulations have blurred the line between abortion and family planning. The proposed Protect Life rule simply makes clear that abortion is not family planning.  The rule would direct that abortion facilities could not be in the same location as where family planning services are delivered.  The rule also states that Title X grantees may not refer for elective abortion.
• The proposed rule does not cut one dime of funding for family planning. Instead it merely ensures that federal funding goes to health facilities that do not perform or promote abortion as family planning.
• Title X funds would be directed to health facilities willing to comply with the restored regulations. (Of note, nationwide, of the roughly 4,000 Title X service locations, less than 443 are Planned Parenthood clinics).
• There is widespread availability of facilities that do not provide abortion onsite.
• Clinics that receive Title X funds (hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, state public health departments, and others) already provide care to well over half the patients served by Title X.  Since it appears that few such grantees are co-located with abortion clinics, they should have little difficulty complying with the new regulations.
• The proposed regulations will not “gag doctors” or “interfere with the doctor/patient relationship.” This argument is intended to divert attention from the real issue– the routine referral for elective abortion by federally funded agents.

The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation recently completed its annual Pro-Life Student Essay Contest, and as always the entrants were amazing and the judges had a difficult time choosing a winner.  This essay, written by Bethlehem Catholic High School 11th grade student Rebecca Homer of Quakertown, won first place in the Sr. High category:

The air was stifling hot as I glanced at the time: 10:22 AM. It was a Tuesday morning in August and my neighbors’ children were busy at play in the yard next door. The birds sang their song and as I stirred my tea alone at the table, it struck me again. A tidal wave of grief filled my being and I wept uncontrollably. My silent tears turned to sobbing as my stomach wrenched inside of me. My whole being was overcome with anguish as the pit in my very soul opened wide and poured out the torment I could no longer hold inside.

It had been twenty years now since I had left my job at Planned Parenthood. I counseled countless women in crisis and led every single one to abortions. As I looked outside, I remembered the hot August morning twenty five years ago when the woman next door was brought to my office. She shut her eyes and cried as we discussed the options for her eight-week old baby. I was excited to administer my fourth abortion of the day.

Today, my head pounds as I watch her two children play next door, unaware of their two siblings that I murdered myself. Their mother was pregnant with twins.

I rose from the table, poured a bowl of cereal, and slid back down into the wooden chair. I began to feel sick as I remembered the last conversation I ever had with my mother. She told me, “Abortion is the greatest wrong you ever could inflict upon yourself, your child, and your family.” Little did she know I would not only inflict these wrongs upon myself, my child, and my family, but also upon others, their children, and their families. I shivered as I remembered the day she passed away.

I am living all alone now, sipping away at my late morning tea. As my sorrows subside for a moment, I let my mind wander back to my dear husband who retired in the same year as I. He always wanted to raise children of our own, but I was never ready. I had a steady job and I loved my career. Why would I want to raise a child?

If I could only have him back for a day, I would embrace my sweet husband and stop everything to raise just one child.

How is it that ideas could change so drastically during one’s lifetime? As my eyes scan the walls around me, I muse in the vast emptiness of my own home. My old friends tell me they are “proud grandmothers of four” or “great-grandmothers to-be.” I sigh deeply in the midst of my own solitude and listen intently as the air fills my lungs with breath. As the wall clock ticks away lightly, the stillness of my home engulfs me entirely.

Another wave of crippling anxiety takes hold of my being. This time I am not only overwhelmed with grief, but with regret. I have spent my life murdering the children of those around me and I can no longer live with the thought of what I have done. Why did I not listen to my mother?

I buried my face in my hands and wept for all the women I robbed of motherhood, all the men I robbed of fatherhood, and all the children who will never know their brothers and sisters. Everyday, I find myself here, at the same wooden table, alone, and paralyzed at the thought of what years of my work has done.

I picked up my cane and rinsed out my dishes. As I walked back over to the window, I spotted the two children now sitting on the sidewalk. Contently, they passed a ball between themselves as their mother watched lovingly from the porch. A cascade of tears streamed from my eyes as the cacophony of children’s voices consumed my attention again. Will the torment of my past ever cease to haunt me?

I stumbled over to my calendar to find the date of the next appointment with my therapist. As I scanned the days of the week, my eyes fell upon today’s date: August seventh. Today is my seventy-third birthday. I turned around and froze. What have I done?