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An open letter from Archbishop Aymond
Saturday, February 1st 2014 - Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond
"There is no justification, including economic hardship that will make a direct or indirect relationship with Planned Parenthood or any abortion provider, acceptable...All citizens of the New Orleans area must stand together for a peaceful community, not one with more abortion and more Planned Parenthood."
- Archbishop Gregory Aymond
My brothers and sisters in Christ:
In March, 2013, the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans participated in an awareness campaign regarding Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. Planned Parenthood is set to construct a 7,000-8,000 square foot facility at 4636 S. Claiborne Avenue near Napoleon Avenue in New Orleans. Although Planned Parenthood does not currently perform abortions in Louisiana, they have publicly stated that they will be performing abortions at this new facility and that it will be the largest of its kind in Louisiana. They intend to open in 2014.
In 2011, Planned Parenthood performed over 330,000 abortions across the U.S., representing over 1/3 of our nation's abortions every year. Moreover, for every 145 abortions that Planned Parenthood performs, they facilitate only one adoption referral. Nine out of ten pregnant women who enter the doors of a Planned Parenthood facility have an abortion.
A New Construction permit was given final approval by the City of New Orleans on December 5, 2013. Documentation filed with the City Department of Safety and Permits provides substantial detail as to the design of the facility. According to records filed by Planned Parenthood's Electrical Engineering Consultant, there will be "6 patient recovery areas..." Abortion industry experts have advised that this indicates Planned Parenthood could perform upwards of thirty (30) abortions per day. This is a staggering increase in the number of abortions in light of the 3,496[1] abortions performed in 2012 in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.
It has been the consistent teaching of the Catholic Church since the first century that abortion is a grave evil. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 2270 that:
Jer 1:5; cf. Job 10:8-12; Ps 22:10-11.
We cannot be silent in view of the grave injustice presented by the abortions that will be performed at the proposed Planned Parenthood facility. The archdiocese is obliged to remind every person and organization involved in the acquisition; preparation and construction of this or any abortion facility that they are cooperating with the evil that will take place there. For this reason, the archdiocese, including its churches, schools, apartments for the elderly, and nursing homes, will strive in its privately-funded work not to enter into business relationships with any person or organization that participates in actions that are essential to making this abortion facility a reality. This policy applies to all businesses regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation. Our fidelity to Church teaching and our conscience necessitates this stance.
There is no justification, including economic hardship that will make a direct or indirect relationship with Planned Parenthood or any abortion provider, acceptable. Additionally, affiliation or support of Planned Parenthood by Catholics is a matter of serious scandal.[2]
We will continue to pray for those that are blind to the destruction caused by abortion and invite those involved with Planned Parenthood to prayer and dialogue. There are many issues, from violence in the streets to poverty, which hurt this community. A regional abortion center will not solve our problems; it will only create more. This is not the future the New Orleans metropolitan area needs.
We hope that the community invested in the City of New Orleans and in her future, will join us in standing for life, not more abortion.
All citizens of the New Orleans area must stand together for a peaceful community, not one with more abortion and more Planned Parenthood.
If you have questions, need resources, or would like to participate further, please contact me or Peg Kenny, Respect Life Office at 504-286-1119 or via email at respectlife@arch-no.org.
Wishing You God's Blessings, I am,
Sincerely in Christ,
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans
[1] This is the most recent data from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
[2] Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 2284.
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