The Catholic Spirit - August 13, 2015

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August 13, 2015 Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

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With more to come, videos mobilize ‘pro-life generation’ Planned Parenthood exposé sparks pro-life advocates’ hope of hindering abortion giant By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit “See for yourself.” It’s a invitation that will appear hanging from door knobs across the metro in the coming months urging residents to watch the undercover video series the Center for Medical Progress launched exposing what it believes to be Planned Parenthood’s illegal sale of organs from aborted fetuses. The door-to-door campaign is one part of Pro-Life Action Ministries’ efforts to end public support for Planned Parenthood, Minnesota’s largest abortion provider. The St. Paul-based organization’s work has gained new momentum in the wake of the videos, said its president, Brian Gibson. “Planned Parenthood is under fire in Congress,” Gibson said. “It’s become the topic in the political debates in the presidential race that has already started. Those that are defending Planned Parenthood . . . find themselves in a position they don’t want to be in because the American public is very upset over these videos.” As of Aug. 11, the California-based Center for Medical Progress had released five videos — with promises of more to come — featuring undercover footage of Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted fetal body parts for profit and altering abortion procedures to obtain intact organs.

Local rally draws crowd Father Nick VanDenBroeke, left, of Divine Mercy in Faribault holds a sign reading “I am the pro-life generation” in Spanish at a pro-life rally July 28 at Planned Parenthood in St. Paul. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

Are the undercover videos ethical? A look at Catholic teaching on deception — page 10A

In response to the videos, Pro-Life Action Ministries partnered with Students for Life of America to host a pro-life rally outside Planned Parenthood in St. Paul July 28. The event drew more than 800 people, including state legislators. Gibson said the rally is evidence the political landscape of abortion is changing. “It’s the first time we’ve had a rally out in front of Planned Parenthood where elected public officials spoke at it,” he said. “It’s so encouraging to have that. We’ve Please turn to VIDEOS on page 10A

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