August, 1999
IPPF Attacks the Vatican's Status
Sources at the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) revealed on May 13,
1999, that the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) announced
that it is preparing a massive campaign to undermine the role of the Vatican
permanent observer at the United Nations. This comes in response to a petition
made by "Catholics for a Free Choice," which promotes abortion and pro-choice
advocacy within the Catholic Church, even though these policies go against
official Church teaching and the group itself has been declared "non-Catholic" by
several bishops' conferences, including that of the U.S. The IPPF is exerting
pressure on "governmental, non-governmental and other institutions to endorse
existing appeals for a review of the Vatican's status with the United Nations."
Their goal is to have the delegation of the Holy See reduced to a mere NGO, or
non-governmental organization, with no voice in official deliberations of the U.N.
The Vatican delegation, which has been present from the beginning of the U.N.,
is not a permanent member of the U.N. General Assembly, but a permanent
observer, like Switzerland, and, as such, has a voice but no vote on issues
discussed in official forums.
Nevertheless, the role of the Vatican delegation should not be taken lightly; and
it is highly esteemed by the overwhelming majority of member states that make
up the general Assembly.
The Holy See, currently has official diplomatic relations with 176 governments
and its moral influence has been felt at recent U.N. forums, such as Cairo and
Beijing, where many smaller, developing countries rallied behind the Vatican to
oppose the imposition of sterilization, population controls, and "reproductive
rights" by larger industrialized nations.
The action comes as no surprise to U.N. observers, because the Vatican has
constantly voiced opposition to many of the principle objectives promoted by
IPPF, namely abortion, population control, "reproductive rights," and sex
education for youth without parental consent.
Most recently, the Vatican has criticized the move by the U.N. Population Fund
(UNFPA), and backed by IPPF, to distribute "emergency aid" to Kosovar
refugees. This emergency aid consists of condoms, contraceptives, abortion-
inducing pills, IUDs and "field equipment" to enable the performing of abortions
in the refugee camps and local Albanian hospitals.
In response to the IPPF initiative, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil
Rights has launched its own campaign to "make public the anti-Catholic element
in Planned Parenthood's history."
Commenting on the "emergency aid" issue, Catholic League President, William
Donohue said: "Only an organization driven by fanaticism would think that the
men, women and children in Yugoslavia who are being victimized by Slobodan
Milosevic are in dire need of condoms. What these people need is precisely
what Catholic Relief Services offers, namely food, clothing, shelter and
medicinal supplies
Most of IPPF's backing has come from like-minded NGO's who constitute a
veritable "shadow organization" or a parallel assembly that some official member
states have even complained as having too much lobbying power within the U.N.
structure that often hinder a more productive and efficient operation of an
organization already bogged down by bureaucratic and economic constraints.
PP Houston's Night Clinic
According to a June 15, 1999, article in the Houston Chronicle, Planned
Parenthood in Houston, Texas, has been piloting a new "service." At least once
a month, on Friday night, the Planned Parenthood clinic in the 6100 block of
Hillcroft stays open until 4 a.m. The newspaper reported that "the clinic's late-
night hours are part of an eight-month pilot program that Planned Parenthood is
testing at its southwest Houston clinic. And, as far as officials with Planned
Parenthood in Houston can determine, it is the only affiliated Planned
Parenthood clinic out of 875 in the country offering family planning services into
the wee hours."
STOPP believes this late night program provides a new opportunity for those
opposed to PP's programs and philosophies. It is a chance for many pro-lifers,
who cannot be active during the day due to work or child care obligations, to
take to the streets and educate the general public on the truth about Planned
Parenthood
You can bet that Planned Parenthood is taking these steps because its normal
business is hurting and it needs to increase its income.
According to published reports, clinic Director, Marie Tekle claims, "Health care
is changing like the rest of the society. Houston is an international city. There
are people who work around the clock. Wal-Mart is open all night, so are
supermarkets. The people who use those services are the same. I have no
doubt that this can work in health care."
Planned Parenthood of Houston officials were reportedly encouraged by the
success of the first seven nights of operation. Customers receive pre-natal care,
annual exams, birth control and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, but
not surgical abortions (yet).
Susan Nenney, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Houston and
Southeast Texas, says offering expanded service hours has been an objective of
the organization. She said that Planned Parenthood of Houston's Stafford and
Dickinson clinics offer Sunday afternoon hours when their Saturday schedule is
booked.
You can be sure that Planned Parenthood operations in other parts of the
country, particularly in large cities, are watching the developments in Houston
and will use the Houston experience to decide whether or not to offer similar
expanded hours in their own cities
STOPP supporters in the Houston area can use this as an opportunity not only
to educate, but to show Planned Parenthood that increased hours will only lead
to increased opposition and increased education of the general public of the
truth about PP.
Feldt Watch
As president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and of
the Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF), Gloria Feldt helps set the tone for
the organization and for public debate on the issues.
Feldt recently gave a talk at a National Press Club luncheon in Washington,
D.C. Her talk to members of the press was broadcast over C-Span.
Nancy Valko, a STOPP supporter, watched the televised talk and did a
tremendous job of capturing the essence of Feldt's remarks. She provided us
with the following article.
Please note that, although Nancy took every precaution
to present Feldt's statements and opinions accurately, this is not an "official
transcript" of the talk. You should not use it to "quote" Gloria Feldt on any issue
because the precise word used by Feldt might be different than what is used
below. You can, and should, however, use this article to communicate Feldt's
thinking and philosophy. Here, then is Nancy's account:
I've been watching C-Span featuring Gloria Feldt's address to the National Press
Club. Feldt is president of Planned Parenthood. It's been amazing. Some
highlights:
- Pharmacists' conscience rights on so-called emergency contraception
brought the comment "Whose conscience?" Feldt stated that doctor's
conscience rights to ensure planned and wanted children and the woman's
conscience rights to control her reproductive health had to be considered.
- Most of her talk was an exhortation to use "proper" language, i.e. Planned
Parenthood's. Especially criticized was the term partial-birth abortion.
"Anti-choicers" were called "screamers" and the media was exhorted to do
"better" by ignoring the "anti-choicers" because they did not use the facts like
PP.
-
She lamented that the media was ignoring "pro-choice" clergymen, which PP
would be happy to provide.
-
Debate is "fine" unless it "confuses" the public.There was a lot on contraception
as being indicative of the craziness of pro-lifers because abortion has nothing to
do with contraception. Much was said about elevating the "discourse," freedom,
the founding fathers, and "reason
- "Responsible choices" is PP's new slogan.
- Ms. Feldt wanted especially to be seen as a beleaguered and courageous
civil rights activist.
Questions from the audience included the greatest misconception about PP:
Feldt responded that women's choices needed to be respected.
- Re: debate. Feldt was asked about her encouraging comments from "liberal"
clergymen. Feldt objected to the word "liberal." She brought up that most
denominations support choice.
- Re: consensus building. Feldt said that being pro-choice meant respecting
all points of view but the problem was that a large number of pro-lifers also
opposed "family planning." Lots on "contraceptive equity" legislation. To reduce
abortion, she says, you must first reduce unwanted pregnancy.
- Re: politics. Feldt said that she was speaking as president of the PPAF when
saying that abortion wasn't the only issue—it should be about the range of issues
like contraception, sex education, etc. She criticized George Bush. Said partial
birth abortion as an issue was "over and done" since courts were overturning
state laws and no politician who voted against the PBA ban was defeated in the
last two election cycles.
- Re: New Jersey governor Christie Whitman who recently endorsed parental
consent for abortion, Feldt said that it would prevent the "most vulnerable" teens
from obtaining "compassionate care." She criticized Whitman as an "appeaser"
to get votes, but reminded the audience that she was a staunch supporter of
choice. Feldt characterized Whitman's action as a mistake.
- Re: supporting Elizabeth Dole as a presidential or vice-presidential
candidate, Feldt said that if Dole came out tomorrow in favor of abortion and
family planning, "we would love to talk to her."
- Re: Clinton being "good for the women's movement." Feldt said the "recent
unpleasantness" brought about a discussion of appropriate behavior and a
"teachable moment about sexuality," which was a "positive." She praised
Clinton's policies as "extraordinarily good."
- Re: education and teaching young men, Feldt said it was a good thing that
men were now feeling a part of reproductive "decisions" and that men need
access also. She mentioned PP's teenwire.com internet site.
- Re: the right age to start talking about sex, the effectiveness of sex
education, etc, Feldt said the age should be when children start asking about
sex, and that PP had wonderful materials on this available. She said teen
pregnancy has declined 16% in this decade, which is good, but that sex
education needed to be expanded and that local parents must be involved in
local school board elections. She called for more teacher training.
- Re: what to call partial birth abortion and for a response to Koop saying it's
never necessary, Feldt brought up the specter of Henry Hyde telling you what to
do in a medical situation. She said that the term "partial birth abortion" is a PR
ploy but didn't answer what to call it except a "medical procedure." She said the
issue was "wrongly framed" and "articulated" and gently chastised the media for
inaccuracy
- Re: clinic workers "who have been attacked" by right to lifers, Feldt choked
up and said it was a privilege to meet with these people and thank them, to tell
them that they are supported and that what they are doing is "right" and
"compassionate." She cited a Nebraska clinic that has 60 to 100 loud
demonstrators every day but said that the "screaming meemies" were not
everyone. She talked about women being escorted into clinics and collapsing in
tears of gratitude.
When asked if she had been a planned pregnancy, Feldt said she hoped she
was a "pleasant surprise" but really didn't know the answer. She said that
although she didn't know if she was planned, she did know she was "treasured
Funny how the real answer surfaces at the end.
PP & Post Abortion Syndrome
Planned Parenthood has steadfastly denied the existence of post-abortion
syndrome. It was with surprise, then, that we came across an article on the web
site for Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois. This article, titled
"After Your Abortion: A Natural Response,"
talks about coping with loss and grief.
We asked Dr. Theresa Burke of Rachel's Vineyard to review the article and
prepare comments for our readers. (Kevin Burke, MSS/LSW and Theresa
Karminski Burke, Ph.D. are the founders of Rachel's Vineyard Ministries.
Theresa is the author of "Rachel's Vineyard—A Psychological and Spiritual
Journey of Post Abortion Healing," and "Forbidden Grief—The Unspoken Pain of
Abortion."
To obtain information on Rachel's
Vineyard weekend retreats for healing after abortion contact 877 HOPE 4
ME.
Those of you who have attended one of American Life League's one-day
conferences have heard Dr. Burke speak on the healing process after abortion.
She did an analysis of this Planned Parenthood document and found that,
although PP used some words that seem to be compassionate, because of their
bias towards killing babies in the womb, they could not really offer the advice
needed by post-abortion women.
In the following comments, Dr. Burke gives you some quotes from the Planned
Parenthood document so you can get an idea of what they are saying. Then, she
gives her analysis.
While many women experience only relief after an abortion, others may grieve
for the lost pregnancy—losing the pregnancy may feel more like losing a real
person than a potential child
—Planned Parenthood of Central Illinois
Denial is defined as the defense that protects our selves, spiritually and
emotionally, from the harsh reality of a very painful situation. Denial can be
found among addicts, abuse victims and persons who suffer from serious illness
and devastating losses. The good news in the area of post abortion trauma is
that the denial is finally cracking. The bad news; like it's counterpart in the
addiction realm, denial usually breaks down in stages:
- Recognition
Admitting the problem.
- Acceptance
The problem is addressed but often with conditions and a lack of a complete
attack on the true nature and seriousness of the problem
- Surrender
This stage represents a complete surrender to the reality of the situation and to
addressing its true nature.
It appears Planned Parenthood of Illinois has finally recognized and accepted
what those of us who have been working with postabortal people have known for
a long time: Many women experience trauma and complicated mourning as a
result of their "choice." Unfortunately there is much in this Planned Parenthood
piece that clearly reveals that there is an inability at this time to "surrender" to
the deeper truth
Some women feel a strong sense of identification or bonding with the embryo.
Some women benefit by having a "memorial service" for the pregnancy.
—Planned Parenthood
What would one memorialize concerning a pregnancy? The depth of pain and
anguish that many women and men experience is caused by the death of their
child. This grief is traumatic and disabling. It often struggles to break through
both consciously and unconsciously, through dreams, thoughts and fantasies.
Any attempts to deal with the loss are quickly thwarted by one's own denial,
anger and justification as well as the diminishment of society, friends and family.
Giving permission to grieve means facing the painful reality of what was lost and
how it was lost through the intentional destruction of one's child. It is here that
Planned Parenthood dare not go. To do so would be to recognize the unique
dignity and humanity of the fetus/baby. It is here that we see Planned
Parenthood's compassion for "normal grieving" end:
A few women might cling to their grief.
—Planned Parenthood
Unfortunately this reflects a judgmental attitude found among many mental
health practitioners, family and friends. The message is, "It's time to get over it!
Get on with your life."
To PP's credit they do recommend counseling for those "clinging" to their grief.
The problem lies in the inability or unwillingness of most professional counselors
to acknowledge the true nature of the post-abortal person's dilemma and the
proper course of treatment. However PP comes tantalizingly close to breaking
completely through denial in a rather lame attempt to offer stuffing techniques for
some of the intrusive thoughts associated with traumatic reactions to abortion:
You can say or yell "stop" whenever you have disturbing thoughts...if you find
yourself fantasizing too often about what the child might have been like[!] you
should substitute another fantasy: a baby crying because you had no time to
give it...a pictureof yourself feeling angry, resentful or stressed by children you
weren't ready to have.
—Planned Parenthood
Immediately after acknowledging that the cause of suffering is the loss of one's
child, PP quickly retreats behind the wall of denial. Supposedly, the crushing
grief caused by a child's death is assuaged and justified by imagining the
challenges of parenthood. This reveals an inability at this time to fully break
down the walls of denial. The natural feelings of grief and guilt over an abortion
are buried under the assumption that life would have been horrible if your baby
was here. This image inhibits the natural grieving process. Would you tell
someone grieving at a funeral to try and picture how awful their life would be if
their loved one had lived?
We must also be cautious in our optimism in the acknowledgment of post-abortal
grief. Many pro-choice proponents offer a new age, reincarnation religious
approach to the unborn baby's death. This is really another form of denial
regarding the act of abortion, and will ultimately inhibit the grieving process.
To fully grieve and heal entails surrender—resignation to the agonizing truth that
abortion violently takes the life of a human person; and acceptance of one's true
feelings—and not trying to deny or defend through justification. To fully grieve
means to examine one's personal history—accepting feelings related to loss,
rejection, ambivalence, abuse, abandonment, desperation, and all the other
conscious and unconscious fears and circumstances which make women and
men vulnerable to abortion.
To fully grieve means to re-personalize the child, acknowledging his/her inherent
worth and value, and reclaiming that child on a spiritual level. The purpose of
any memorial is to give honor and dignity to the person who has died,
remembering them in love and prayer.
Healing involves restoring one's relationship with God, accepting forgiveness,
and reconciling with others. To examine the crushing truth also implies taking
responsibility—recognizing one's role in the loss of their child's life and openly
expressing their pain and sorrow.
Healing demands a process where grieving can happen in the deepest part of
one's soul; where forgiveness from God and child are accepted and extended to
self and others. Healing can only happen when the isolation and secret are
dismantled and one's story is revealed to others who do not seek to judge and
condemn, but to support and love another person through the darkness and pain
towards the reality of eternal life, light, and the promise of resurrection. The truth
about abortion can be excruciating, but it is necessary to fully embrace this
reality to heal. When we grieve our losses in their fullness, we free the soul to
move beyond the pain into a richer, deeper, more meaningful existence which
cherishes the gift of life as well as our own self-worth, reaffirming the values of
non-violence and love.
Population Update
Since our last edition of The Ryan Report, the issue of the need for larger
families has gained much media interest. STOPP was featured in a story in the
Washington Times as well as the National Washington Times.
We did half a dozen radio interviews on the subject and appeared on The
O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Network. We have also had interest from other
television and radio shows including Politically Incorrect.
This is a subject that will continue to draw interest as we move toward October
12, 1999, the day the world population is projected to reach six billion people.
We suggest all of our supporters familiarize themselves with this subject and use
it to get the message out locally. It is an ideal opportunity to educate the public
on the truth about population.
Reports from Texas
Over the years, Jim Sedlak has made a number of speaking tours in Texas.
STOPP continues to get reports from some of the places where he has spoken.
Here are two recent ones:
- El Paso
STOPP supporter, Grace Oliveira, reports on the following item from the May 17,
1999, El Paso Times:
The HIV/AIDS Prevention and Testing Services, a division of Planned
Parenthood Center of El Paso, will offer support group services to women who
are HIV positive. Sessions are from 6 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday. Services are
available in English and Spanish. Facilitators are seeking on-site child care
services.
Grace observed that "this is another step in PP's efforts to be full service health
care providers. I've heard talk of their doing diabetes screening as well, but don't
have any details."
Note that, unless you knew the relationship, you might not suspect that the
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Testing Services was really Planned Parenthood.
The Ryan Report would like to hear from any other supporters who have details
of PP operating under different names in different cities. We'll publish any
documented information you can send.
- Waco
The following information is provided by Daniel Vinzant of Waco.
Every Wednesday, during the month of July, local pro-lifers held their 3rd
Annual Pool Party at Planned Parenthood in Waco. This year, they had a lovely
new kiddy pool that held twice the number of children and lots more water under
a wonderful party umbrella with table.
Writing about the regular pickets in front of PP, Daniel reports "Thanks be to
God that our numbers continue to be strong in front of Planned Parenthood and
we continue to see turn-aways from that awful place. We continue to see
employees make the decision to leave that place too. The first, and, at one time,
the meanest security guard I met at Planned Parenthood walked away three
weeks ago from a job he had increasingly learned to hate. He left as a friend and
with my prayers. He left knowing he had experienced love. Last year and this
year when he had medical procedures we sent him flowers (thanks to a great
friend and local priest) with a note saying "from the church in the streets with our
love and prayers." As he left that final day he thanked me again and said with a
wry smile, "Those people inside there never showed me any of the love and care
you people did, thanks."
God is more creative than we are. It seems Planned Parenthood is not
comfortable using a local company to remove their "medical waste" and now
contracts with a company from San Antonio whose drivers come from Austin.
Their first day on the job in a huge semi truck, was the only day I have taken my
camera with me all year. Imagine their surprise to walk out with five boxes of
dead baby parts to my awaiting camera. They quickly ran inside to call their
boss, and he yelled at them to go out there and tell them to stop taking pictures
of the inside of my truck (hey, they left the doors open and I didn't touch a thing,
eh?). I told them I would stop taking pictures—five was enough for me anyway—if
they would both listen to me for 20 minutes. Thanks be to God for a 20-minute
divine appointment to be an expression of the face of love. I pray for fruit in their
lives
The Waco Foundation, which is the largest benevolent foundation in Waco,
announced their donations to charity this month. It was a bitter pill to see that
they gave the tiniest amount to good and wholesome works such as Habitat for
Humanity and yet had funds to give Planned Parenthood $36,000 for increased
security. Please express your sadness and vocal displeasure in their decision by
writing and calling:
The Waco Foundation
900 Austin Avenue
Waco, Texas 76701
254-754-3404 and 752-9457
An Invitation to File Reports from the Field
As the struggle to tell the truth about Planned Parenthood intensifies, readers of
The Ryan Report tell us that they are very interested in reading about what other
people are doing in this effort. We, at STOPP headquarters, can never tell the
story as well as people who are actually doing the effort. We invite you, then, to
send us an e-mail about what you are doing and we will print as many accounts
as space will permit. Tell us what works!
