Tag Archives: pro-life

Kindergarten Teacher Dies after Late-Term Abortion; Abortionist Didn’t Answer Emergency Calls

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A kindergarten teacher has died at the hands of a late-term abortionist.Not long ago, Jennifer Morbelli and her husband were making plans to Jennifer Morbelliwelcome their baby girl into the world. They had picked out baby things for her in a registry, and they even had chosen a name – Madison.

But when the couple found out that their baby girl had abnormalities, they decided to abort her. Read more here.

Infamous late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart performed Jennifer’s abortion earlier this month at a center in Maryland. After the surgery, Jennifer went home and began experiencing intense pain. According to reports, the family tried to call Carhart, but he did not answer. They took her to the emergency room, and she died a few hours later.

Now, a source reveals that Carhart’s abortion center instructs its patients NOT to go to the emergency room. The instructions say that if the woman is having problems, she should call and meet someone at the center.

This case mirrors the tragic death of young Chicago mother Tonya Reeves last summer. In her case, she went to Planned Parenthood for an abortion and started having problems while she was there. The staff waited six hours before taking her to the emergency room. And then they failed to inform the hospital staff about her condition.

It’s also reminiscent of the horror stories that were revealed in Philadelphia two years ago. Abortionist Kermit Gosnell butchered women and newborn infants in his gristly practice. He now awaits trial for the deaths of seven newborns and a woman.

When will these sickening killings end? When will our society wake up and realize how devastating abortion is to preborn babies and their mothers?

40 Days for Life Campaign Starts on Wednesday

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Wednesday, February 13, marks the beginning of Lent for Christians. This forty-day period leading up to Easter is set aside for reflection, prayer, and fasting.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the powerful 40 Days for Life campaign 40 days for lifebegins on the same day. The pro-life campaign focuses on prayer and fasting, peaceful vigils, and community outreach to draw attention to the evil of abortion.

These 40-day campaigns have proved to be a powerful witness to the value of life. One community’s vigils inspired Abby Johnson to quit her job at Planned Parenthood. Since then she has become a pro-life household name as she defends the lives of preborn babies, supports their mothers, and offers help to abortion workers who want to quit their jobs.

Because of the campaign, there have been thousands of reports from mothers who chose life for their babies.

To participate in Pennsylvania, click here for a list of participating communities.

Bells to Toll in Harrisburg for 40th Anniversary of Abortion Ruling, Roe v. Wade

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Church bells throughout the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg will toll 40 times on Tuesday, January 22, to mark the somber 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the tragic U.S. Supreme Court decision which brought us the nightmare of abortion on demand for any reason during all nine months of pregnancy.

But for whom will the bells toll?

• The nameless victims who never got to see a rainbow…never got to feel the sun’s warmth, or a gentle mother’s kiss on their foreheads. It is estimated that there are more than 55 million of them now—black, Latino, Asian, Native American, white—all of them somebody’s child.

• The millions of mothers, many of them pressured by others, who were exploited by the profiteers of the abortion industry. Some lost their lives at the hands of their abortionists, others their health–witness the depravity and the disdain for women at abortionist Kermit Gosnell’s West Philadelphia abortion center, described by a grand jury as a House of Horrors. Watch the documentary series “3801 Lancaster” to hear testimonies from women butchered at Gosnell’s practice. And learn more about the brave witness of women who regret their abortions at http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/ .

• The millions of fathers, some of whom tried valiantly to save the lives of their children, only to be told they had no say in the matter. Find out more about their struggle at http://www.fatherhoodforever.org/ .

• The millions of brothers, sisters, and cousins who grew up in families where someone important was missing. College students can get involved by going to http://studentsforlife.org/ .

• The millions of grandparents who struggle to come to grips with the loss of the grandchildren they never knew. They can find healing at http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/ .

And yet, there is tragically more. The phrase “for whom the bell tolls” comes from a work by poet John Dunne:

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were: any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.”

The church bells of Harrisburg will be tolling for each one of us, for, whether we knew these 55 million children or not, we have all been diminished by their deaths.

Things You Can Do at the 2013 March for Life in D.C.

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A record-breaking number of pro-lifers are expected to participate in the national March for Life on Friday, January 25 in Washington, D.C.

This year, the March will take place on the National Mall between 7th and 9th Streets. The rally will begin at noon, and the march will follow at about 1:30 p.m.

When you are at the March for Life, consider participating in one of the many other pro-life opportunities available:

• Pennsylvania legislators reception — U.S. Representatives to Congress and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey will hold a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, January 25 in the 345 Cannon Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building. Sen. Toomey plans to address those present at 2:15 p.m. Sen. Robert Casey Jr. also will meet with pro-lifers at 2:45 p.m. Friday in the Hart Building 902. Please take advantage of this opportunity to meet and speak with our U.S. legislators about the right to life. Be advised that everyone entering a federal building must pass through security; so plan to arrive early.

• National Pro-Life Prayer Service – Hosted by the National Pro-Life Religious Council, the interdenominational service will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 25, at the DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street NW. The Rev. Frank Pavone, president of the council, will deliver the sermon.

• March for Life Exhibit Hall – The exhibit will be open noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 24, and 8 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, January 25, in the lower lobby level of the Hyatt Regency hotel.

• Silent No More Testimonies – Post-abortive women will share their stories immediately after the March on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court Building.

• The 5K March for Life Run – This new event will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, January 26, in the West Potomac Park. There is no cost to participate, but donations to the March for Life are encouraged. Click here for a brochure.

• Stand True Youth Rally – Strong pro-life advocates Melissa Ohden, Lila Rose and Abby Johnson are featured speakers at the rally, which will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday, January 24, in the Regency Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The event is free. For more information, click here.

• The 31st Annual Rose Dinner – This special evening will be held Friday evening at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington. Tickets cost $85 online or $100 at the door. Click here for more information.

For information about traveling to the March with a group in your area, contact the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation at lifelines@paprolife.org or 717-541-0034.

Pa. Abortions Decrease, Complications Increase in 2011

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HARRISBURG, Pa. – While abortions in Pennsylvania declined for the third year in a row in 2011, complications as a result of the procedure increased sharply, according to statistics released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Statistics show 498 (1.4 percent) fewer abortions in 2011 compared to 2010. In total, there were 36,280 abortions performed in Pennsylvania in 2011. The 2011 total represents a 44.8 percent decrease from the all-time high of 65,777 recorded in 1980.

However, the year brought a disturbing 78.7 percent increase in the number of complications from abortions. The 109 reported complications included bleeding, infections and “retained products of conception” including fetal parts, according to the department.

“As these statistics show, abortion not only destroys a preborn child’s life but also puts its mother’s health at risk,” said Micaiah Bilger, education coordinator at the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.

The year 2011 brought to light the gristly practices of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, who is charged with the murders of a woman and seven newborn babies. In response to the tragedy, Pennsylvania implemented Act 122, which requires abortion facilities to be licensed as outpatient surgical facilities and to submit to unannounced inspections.

“Every life, from the moment of conception to natural death – and everywhere in between, deserves to be protected,” Bilger said.

To access the Pa. Department of Health report on abortion, click here.

Central Pa. Employer Files Lawsuit against HHS Mandate

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Out of Central Pennsylvania this week came a new challenge to the provisions in President Obama’s HHS Mandate.

Conestoga Wood Specialties, a Mennonite-owned company based in Lancaster County, filed a federal suit against the mandate, which forces employers to cover abortion-causing contraception for their employees.

According to a Philadelphia Inquirer article:

“Conestoga Wood Specialties, citing the principles of religious freedom on which William Penn founded Pennsylvania, says in its suit, filed in U.S. District Court, that to accord to its Mennonite beliefs, it would be ‘sinful and immoral for the company to participate in, pay for, facilitate or otherwise support any contraception’ that would have the effect of an abortion.”

The Conestoga lawsuit is one of more than 40 challenges that have been filed against the federal law. In the past few months, several employers have won temporary victories against the mandate.

Let’s hope and pray that the courts will continue to reject this forced violation of conscience.

Teaching Young People the Truth about Abortion

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“How many abortions do you think have happened in the past 40 years? Just take a guess.”

I watched a pro-lifer pose this question to a young man recently. The well-educated 20-something hesitated and then shrugged.

“Just a rough estimate?” the pro-lifer prompted.

“OK,” he said. “Maybe about 100,000.”

The pro-lifer replied, “Actually, it’s more than 54 million.”

The young man looked shocked.

This simple experience made me wonder how many Americans don’t know the sheer number of abortions that occur every year. How many 20-somethings – the age group having the most abortions – have no concept of how prevalent these tragic deaths are in America.

We believe it is so important that we reach youth with the culture of life, and tell them the devastating effects of abortion.

The video here CE1Dz1ufbOo shows me, a 20-something, speaking to the people at our 2012 Celebrate Life Banquet about this critical effort. Please watch it and think about ways you can help us promote a culture of life in the younger generations.

Maybe by asking a question, as my fellow pro-lifer did above.

Maybe by encouraging a young person in your family to get involved in our essay and oratory contests.

Maybe by promoting alternatives to abortion, pregnancy resource centers, and crisis pregnancy hotlines at your church or community group.

Maybe by giving a donation to the Federation.

Maybe by praying.

You can help make a difference by partnering with us in this outreach to youth.

Remember the Babies and Moms on Giving Tuesday

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The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Education Fund is aligning itself with the Giving Tuesday phenomenon that is gaining momentum across Pennsylvania and across the country. It has received wide coverage in the print and broadcast media as well as on the Internet.

Giving Tuesday is a new tradition this year that is intended to kick off the holiday giving season. It began as a simple idea. Thanksgiving is a day of gratitude, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday are days for getting good deals in stores. But Giving Tuesday is the day for giving back.

“Many worthy causes are part of Giving Tuesday, but we want to make sure that pro-life advocates in Pennsylvania know about this campaign and can take part in a way that reinforces their deeply held values about the sanctity of life,” said Michael Ciccocioppo, executive director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation. “Our purpose is to keep life issues on people’s minds as much as we can, because there’s nothing more important than saving the lives of preborn children and protecting their moms from the horror of abortion.”

The holiday giving season that Giving Tuesday initiates is the period from Thanksgiving through Christmas to the end of the year. This is the time when many nonprofits raise the bulk of their funds in order to carry out their missions.

“It’s vital for donors to realize the importance of this season – not only for celebrating with family and friends but also for taking time to do something good that really makes a difference,” Ciccocioppo said. “Pro-lifers across Pennsylvania feel the urgency of this cause, and they step up to make their voices heard. We’re grateful for their dedication and support.”

To make a gift now to the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation’s life-saving work, click here.

Alveda King Delivers Message of Hope for Future

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Dr. Alveda King’s life is full of reminders about the significance of every single human life.

Alveda King speaks to the crowd at the 2012 Celebrate Life Banquet in Camp Hill.

Her strong pro-life family, her birthday, even her own name seemed to point Alveda toward advocacy for the preborn. However, her young adult life started down a very different path.

A strong pro-life advocate and the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Alveda King shared her life story Tuesday during the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation’s 2012 Celebrate Life Banquet in Camp Hill.

Before Alveda even was born, her life came very close to being wiped out by abortion. When her mother became pregnant out of wedlock, some people suggested she could “get help for her mysterious female ailment.” When her mother began to question this “mysterious” abortion procedure, she turned to Alveda’s grandfather, Martin Luther “Daddy” King Sr.

“He said, ‘That’s not just cells,’” King said. “That’s my granddaughter. I saw her in a dream three years ago with bright red hair. She’s going to be a blessing.’”

Alveda was born on January 22 – a date that perhaps seemed insignificant at the time. Today, we remember it as the day when the U.S. Supreme Court made its tragic decision about abortion in Roe v. Wade.

Even the name her parents chose for her seemed to foretell her future as an advocate for life. The root of Alveda’s name is “vita,” which is Latin for “life.”

When she grew up, though, Alveda King strayed from the truth. Instead, she trusted the lies of abortion centers like Planned Parenthood, and had two abortions.

Then, Daddy King intervened. Pregnant for a third time, Alveda was again considering an abortion, but her grandfather presented her with the truth: That is not a lump of flesh; it is a child.

Since then, Alveda has joined her family of freedom fighters in its charge to protect and defend every human life, from conception to natural death.

She challenged the crowd of 500 people from all across Pennsylvania to not lose courage in the fight for life. Just as God turned her life around, so God can change our nation, she said.

Despite setbacks like Roe v. Wade and pro-abortion political agendas, God works all things together for good, King said. She shared Mark 9:23, “… with God, all things are possible” and encouraged everyone to repeat the verse with her.

“We stand, and as we continue to stand, God will continue to bless,” King said. “With God, all things are possible.”

Election Brings Pro-Life Victories Across Pennsylvania

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The untold story of the November 6 election is how well pro-life candidates performed throughout Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s pro-life Congressional candidates swept to victory.   All the incumbent Congressmen endorsed by the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Political Action Committee won their races.  In addition, pro-life Keith Rothfus scored an upset win against incumbent Mark Critz (D-12), who had a mixed voting record on pro-life issues.

Likewise, a pro-life majority remains in the state legislature.  It should be noted that the pro-life caucuses in the House and the Senate include both Republicans and Democrats.  Pennsylvania has a long-standing tradition of electing pro-life Democrats to office, despite the fact that the national party platform is pro-abortion.

“We are honored by the fact that so many of Pennsylvania’s legislators are committed to helping pregnant women and their children.  Pennsylvanians can be proud of the fact that they have such dedicated public servants who believe in empowering women and protecting life,” said Maria Gallagher, Legislative/PAC Director for the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.

“We are particularly fortunate to have so many gifted pro-life women who have been elected to the state legislature.  Their leadership is inspiring to the many women who believe that human life should be protected—from the dawn to the twilight of life,” Gallagher added.