View Comments      Email Article       Printable Version

Published: February 9, 2008

24 women turn away from abortion

Sidewalk counselors in San Diego say January was fruitful month

News from the Trenches

This month, the visit of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima to our diocese brought many graces to local pro-life efforts -- resulting in 24 women turning away from abortion, one from Planned Parenthood, three from Clinica Medica and 20 from Family Planning Associates.

There are now two evangelical sidewalk counselors at Planned Parenthood on First Avenue on Saturdays. The church they are from is following a strong pro-life ministry out of Las Vegas. They follow a similar method to the Helpers method of sidewalk counseling – low key, non-confrontational – and it seemed that everyone they approached took information from them. The day I met them, the security guard (who is notorious for preventing clients from taking the information into the building) did not keep the women from taking the material in. They have had one save that they know about earlier in the month.

Also, two evangelical sidewalk counselors intercepted an unmarried abortion-intent couple on their way into Family Planning Associates from the cruise ship docked at the embarcadero. When the couple returned the following week for the abortion, Daniel invited them for coffee and talked with them over the phone several times before and after that. Through his help and friendship they have decided give birth to their baby and are now deciding whether or not they will get married.

Additionally, at Family Planning Associates on a Saturday in January, my husband Roger, while praying, noticed two women on the balcony in front of the entrance to the mill. One held a blue flier in her hand that explained the abortionist’s record as they spoke. One woman hugged the other as if to reassure her. They talked some more and then hugged again. During this exchange, the woman who hugged the other looked down at the prayer warriors as they sang Silent Night after the third Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. The traffic noise stopped during the singing so that their voices could be heard. Then they both left the balcony and got in their car to leave. They must have been on their way into the mill since no one stops to talk on their way out, they just head straight to their cars.

Finally in January, David, a prayer warrior, reports on a man showing repentance for two abortions after looking at the fetal development pictures at FPA: “I was @ FPA this morning (1/25/08) praying the Rosary between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. when I looked over on the corner and there was “S.” He was looking intently at the unborn baby pictures. He looked distressed, so I went over to him to and asked him, "Are you okay?" S then broke down in tears saying that he supported his wife in having two abortions. He said he was truly sorry. He hoped God would forgive him. I said God knows what's in your heart; he knows that you are sorry, and that Jesus' mercy is endless. I then walked him over and handed him a pink and blue pamphlet and Dr. Delgado's card, who runs Culture of Life Family Center. I explained to him that COLFS cares for the whole person and promotes the loving option of life and adoption. Also that FPA’s bottom line is abortion. He also asked if everyone praying was Catholic and Christian. I said yes, and that we all have the common goal of promoting the Culture of Life. I further explained to him the Catholic Church and the sacrament of Reconciliation, where you go to a priest, the priest being Christ, you confess your sins, and you are forgiven. I gave S a big hug and he was comforted. It was definitely a blessed day. Pray for S and his wife and their young child that they come fully to the Catholic Church.”

-- Sue Lopez

© California Catholic Daily 2008. All Rights Reserved.