Pro-life Community Celebrates Closing of Planned Parenthood Clinics

In what pro-life advocates describe as "a long time coming," Planned Parenthood shuttered the doors of its remaining facilities in Louisiana, signaling the exit of the abortion industry from the state.

Two diaper drives were held to celebrate the closing of the facilities on Sept. 30. The Office of Life, Peace, and Justice of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Louisiana Black Advocates for Life hosted one at the Catholic Life Center in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Right to Life also held a diaper drive outside the Planned Parenthood Clinic in New Orleans. Online donations were also accepted.

"We are thankful that Planned Parenthood is leaving Louisiana," said Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life. "When Planned Parenthood built its New Orleans facility, they declared their goal was to perform 2,844 abortions each year there. 

"But today, we rejoice that Planned Parenthood’s doors in New Orleans and Baton Rouge are closing, and life has prevailed. The pro-life movement stands with open arms to continue to care for moms and babies through pregnancy centers and many other ministries. We must all work together to continue to form hearts and minds for life and help every mom."

The Diocese of Baton Rouge has partnered with Louisiana Black Catholics for Life to provide resources for mothers who unexpectedly find themselves pregnant, according to Deacon Randall Waguespack, director of the Office of Life, Peace, and Justice of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
The Office of Life, Peace and Justice of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Black Advocates for Life organization collected diapers at the Catholic Life Center to celebrate the closing of Louisiana's Planned Parenthood clinics.
Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator
"We are stepping up to show that the Catholic Church is helping moms, and we're providing options instead of abortions for women and families," said Deacon Waguespack.

The Diocese assists mothers through programs such as Walking with Moms in Need. 

Among the services provided by Walking with Moms in Need is offering emotional and practical support for women to access information and services so they can support themselves and their children, connecting families with local services, and creating a network of volunteers and community partners committed to the wellbeing of others. 

"So far, we've been able to help five families that were experiencing homelessness move into an apartment, and through our partnerships with other providers, we were also able to help them get furniture and supplies for the apartments. Our volunteers continue to work with these women to assist them with finding any resources they need, and also to provide some good Christian friendship," said Deacon Waguespack. 

Tara Wicker, co-director of the Louisiana Black Advocates for Life, said her organization walks alongside African American women with unplanned pregnancies.

"We know that Planned Parenthood disproportionally targets African American communities. And to see it close here not only in Baton Rouge but also New Orleans is a big success for us. We want to make sure that in addition to them closing their connections to the abortion of babies in the womb, we want families and moms to know they are not alone."

Wicker pointed out that the abortion industry spreads misinformation such as claiming that abortion is "healthcare."

"Oftentimes we find that in the same context of conversation, and I believe it is intentional to give a mixed message and promote confusion around this issue," Wicker said. 

Vigilance is critical to make sure that mothers are supported and educated and the abortion industry does not return to Louisiana, stated Wicker. 

"Our motto is ‘stand up, speak out, save lives.’ And you have to be very unapologetic about that stance, you have to be very knowledgeable about it, so we go to college campuses, and we educate, especially the young people."

She added, "This is not a political issue. This is a human life issue, in every last one of us that has the breath of life. God's breath breathing through our lungs should be vocal and vigilant by speaking about this issue. It's a very human issue for each and every one of us that enjoy life and humanity."

Wicker is also the capital regional director of Louisiana Right to Life.

Allison Daigle, CEO of Woman's New Life Clinic, said her organization is standing by women with unplanned pregnancies.

“Woman’s New Life Clinic has proudly served women in south Louisiana since 2001, offering free medical and professional mental health services for unplanned pregnancies," said Daigle. "For over 10 years, we’ve also offered a full range of life-affirming, low-cost healthcare for women, including well-women care, urgent gynecologic care, STI testing and treatment, prenatal care up to 20 weeks, instruction in fertility awareness-based methods, free abortion pill reversal, and more. 

"We walk with women in every step of their journeys, providing life-changing and life-saving care for them in a loving, nonjudgmental environment. We remain constant in our superior, life-affirming, authentic care for all women. Our mission has and always will be to promote the sanctity of life, the dignity of women, and the sacredness of sexuality through our medical and mental health services. We provide authentic reproductive healthcare that women deserve," she said.

Resources with information for women with unplanned pregnancies and for those who would like to donate or volunteer:

diobr.org/walking-with-moms-in-need
lablackadvocates.com
womansnewlife.com
findhelpla.com
pregnancyproblemcenterbr.com 
prolifelouisiana.org