When I told a friend I had been at the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil, she told me I should read Abby Johnson’s book Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line.
If you haven’t heard of it, here is the blurb:
Abby Johnson quit her job in October 2009. That simple act became a national news story because Abby was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas who, after participating in her first actual abortion procedure, walked across the road to join the Coalition for Life.
Unplanned is a heart stopping personal drama of life-and-death encounters, a courtroom battle, and spiritual transformation that speaks hope and compassion into the political controversy that surrounds this issue. Telling Abby’s story from both sides of the abortion clinic property line, this book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the life versus rights debate and helping women who face crisis pregnancies.
In many ways it’s a simple story, simply told. She’s young, idealistic, naive, and a little bit damaged; she ends up working for Planned Parenthood almost by accident; she’s good with people and good at her job; she’s increasingly uneasy about what she is doing and what the organisation stands for; and this is brought to a head when she’s asked to participate directly in an abortion procedure because they need another pair of hands in the theatre.
It’s not a story of a radical pro-abortion campaigner having a sudden conversion; it’s more about how an ordinary person without strong moral convictions and without a habit of reflection can drift into this world and find themselves standing in a place they don’t really want to be. I was struck by her apparent innocence, her naivety; and then by the courageous way she reacted when she knew she was in the wrong place.
You learn a lot about Planned Parenthood and the reality of day-to-day life in an abortion clinic. You see, in a non-judgmental way, how much of this work is motivated by sincerity and misplaced compassion; and it is a credit to Johnson that she writes with kindness and respect for her former colleagues. You also get an insight into the ongoing development of the pro-life movement in the States, and the genuine charity and concern that motivates those involved in the vigil outside the clinic where Johnson worked.
The drama of her final conversion, and her decision to cross the line and seek help from those on the other side is incredibly moving.
A Pro-Life answer to the bbc’s broadcast from inside an abortuary today; http://mariastopsabortion.blogspot.com
Thanks Stuart – I’ve copied the main section with links below in case anyone wants to listen directly from here:
If you would like to hear the other side of the story, the real help that women need, and what it is like for a woman who changes her mind at the abortuary doorstep, or what it is like for those who go through the abortion because they have no other choice, or if you want to hear from someone who spends her life providing real help to women in crisis pregnancies, read on. Robert Colquhoun of 40 Days for Life, has interviewed 4 such women at the Good Counsel Centre.
Here are interviews with two women who turned around on the doorsteps of the abortuary, because Catholics were there to offer them help, when both felt had that they had no choice. http://www.divshare.com/download/17571772-a3d (10 minutes) & http://www.divshare.com/download/17571864-4dc (20 minutes)
This third women has had an abortion and needs her vioce to be heard. Please send this link to everyone you know; http://www.divshare.com/download/17571931-cd3 (20 minutes)
Finally here is Ronni a volunteer with Good Counsel; http://www.divshare.com/download/17571913-6ce (11 minutes)
To give Mums-to-be a real chioce involves a lot of time, money and prayer, – we don’t have enough of any of these to help all the turnarounds currently needing our help – if we all do our bit to help, even more lives will be saved. Please spread the word.
Clare and Stuart McCullough
Dear Fr. Stephen. A timely post as the subject of abortion clinics was aired on BBC Radio Five Live this morning.
Extract of copy from the web site BBC Radio Five Live – Victoria speaks to doctors, nurses and patients live from an abortion clinic. .
I also understand its being discussed on the same station from 10-30pm tonight.
Not advocating it as I only listened to parts of the programme whilst driving, but there was an interesting comment by a Catholic Priest who was part of interdenominational peaceful protest group.
Thankyou for re-raising the subject of abortion again, Fr Stephen. It is high time that people were reminded of it and the Pro Life movement.
The book sounds like a worthy read and Abby Johnson is a very brave woman.
I read the first few pages on Amazon ‘look inside.’ Very unpleasant.