DEACON FOR LIFE

Were there to be no support in the whole history of ethical and moral thought, were there no acknowledged confirmation from medical science, were the history of legal opinion to the contrary, we would still have to conclude on the basis of God's Holy Word that the unborn child is a person in the sight of God. He is protected by the sanctity of life graciously given to each individual by the Creator, Who alone places His image upon man and grants them any right to life which they have.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

40 Days For Life: DAY 7: Why Won't They Go Away?

[Paper on wood Nativity scene from 1750, Milan, presenting a tender image of Jesus]

[wikipedia.org]

South Dakota is one of a dozen states that protect unborn children from abortion at all ages and stages of pregnancy.

So why do 40 Days for Life volunteers continue to stand vigil in front of Planned Parenthood in Sioux Falls?

First of all, Planned Parenthood is still open--and directing women to out-of-state abortions.
Second, women are ordering abortion pills online--without even knowing what's in them.
Third, abortion supporters are working to enshrine abortion as a right in the South Dakota constitution.

Those challenges require a great deal of outreach to the community, so local vigil leader Brad brought in former abortionist Dr. Patti Giebink to share the powerful story of her pro-life journey...and MUCH more.

"We need to educate people on abortion and tell them what is happening," Dr. Giebink told the crowd. "But most importantly, we need to do it with love and tenderness."

In particular, she educated the crowd on the dangers of abortion pills.

"[A woman] might be all alone at home," Dr. Giebink explained. "She's taken her medication; she's having horrible cramps and bleeding. And she's scared, but there's nobody to call. You don't have an emergency phone number. This is the worst kind of medical care."

And YOU can help spare a woman from enduring that kind of "care" by signing up to pray at your nearest 40 Days for Life vigil:

40daysforlife.com/location

West Palm Beach, Florida

During her visit to Florida, 40 Days for Life outreach director and former Planned Parenthood manager Ramona Trevino witnessed a sad reminder of the toll abortion takes on mothers: a post-abortive woman in obvious pain sprawled out across the back seat of a car.

Sidewalk counselors have no access to the front of the abortion facility (pictured) where women enter, but that hasn't stopped them from saving babies...

...or from serving as the first sign of God's mercy to women who go through with their appointments--like the one Ramona saw.

"The final thing women leaving the abortion center see is love, prayer, and mercy embodied in those on the sidewalk," Ramona reflected.

Palmdale, California

All the way across the country in the Golden State, 40 Days for Life volunteers in the Antelope Valley held a prayer walk to witness to the public.

"We marched down the main thoroughfare of our city to Planned Parenthood, where we stood praying and singing to bring awareness to abortion in our community," wrote Mary, the local leader.

While most people responded favorably to the walk, others weren't so friendly.

The naysayers don't bother Mary and her team. They simply serve as a reminder that there's more work to be done.

"We will continue our prayer walks and peaceful vigils until truth prevails and the sanctity of the womb is respected," Mary said.

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

--Luke 2:6-7

Dear Jesus, you entered the world through the “yes” of your mother. Help us to say “yes” to the needs of those around us, especially the needs of expectant mothers. Open our hearts so that we might generously share your love with others, and help us to be a refuge for women and children seeking safety and care. Amen.

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life 4112 E 29th St. Bryan, Texas 77802 United States (888) LIFE-316

LIFE IS SACRED

An example of the traditional magisterial teaching which indicates that it is never morally licit to intentionally kill a child through abortion in order to “save the life of its mother” comes from the teaching of Pope Pius XII:

“Every human being, even the infant in the mother's womb, has the right to life immediately from God, not from the parent or any human society or authority. Therefore, there is no man, no human authority, no science, no medical, eugenic, social, economic or moral ‘indication’ that can show or give valid juridical title for direct deliberate disposition concerning an innocent human life-which is to say, a disposition that aims at its destruction either as an end in itself or as the means of attaining another end that is perhaps in no way illicit itself. Thus, for example, to save the life of the mother is a most noble end, but the direct killing of the child as a means to this end is not licit.”