by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
(June 26, 2008) After 18 years of prayer, the Catholic Pro-Life Committee of the Diocese of Dallas will mark the closing of the eighth abortion clinic in the city since retired Bishop Charles Grahmann began leading a monthly “Second Saturday Rosary” campaign outside Dallas area clinics in 1990.
The latest conquest, Aaron Women’s Health Center, a late-term abortion facility, will close its doors on June 28, after being forced to close due to an imminent domain acquisition to facilitate the widening of a local highway. This clinic was one of three abortion mills in the state that was authorized to do late-term abortions and had just upgraded its facilities in 2005 to comply with a state law requiring late-term abortion clinics to be “ambulatory surgical centers.”
However, persistent prayer by Bishop Grahmann and the Catholic Pro-Life Committee, the Respect Life Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, eventually interrupted those plans by maintaining a constant presence of peaceful prayer and sidewalk counseling in front of the clinic for more than a decade.
“We are overjoyed to hear that this notorious place of death is not relocating, but closing,” said Karen Garnett, executive director of the Catholic Pro-Life Committee. “Not only is this a victory for the pro-life movement, for mothers and for babies, but it is a victory for Dallas as well, as the horrific practice of the killing of unborn children will take place at one less location in our city.”
When Bishop Grahmann’s efforts began 18 years ago, there were 13 abortion clinics in Dallas. Since that time, eight have now closed. The closing of the Aaron Center will leave only five freestanding abortion clinics in Dallas.
Abortion advocates say the closures will leave women without pregnancy help, but Garnett’s group has been offering curbside counseling and abortion alternatives throughout the campaign. They also offer help to women who may be experiencing medical, mental or spiritual problems following their abortions.
“We stand ready to offer help and healing to those who have made the abortion decision at Aaron’s or any other abortion facilities,” Garnett told LifeNews.com.
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Center, called the Bishop’s 18 year prayer campaign “a story of pro-life perseverance and triumph.”
“What is particularly encouraging about putting the Aaron Women’s Health Center out of business is that it was one of the three facilities in the city to perform late-term abortions. We rejoice with Bishop Grahmann and applaud him for his comforting presence outside of these clinics, as he and his parishioners ministered God’s healing message to the women of Dallas.”
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