Parishioners pray for the unborn outside Planned Parenthood

Oct 27, 2009, 11:25 AM

Story by CRISTIN HUBBARD, Photo by LISA HANDKE

Loretta Wright stands in front of Planned Parenthood Friday, during a prayer demonstration sponsored by Johnson County Right to Life and UCM's Catholic Campus Ministries.

WARRENSBURG, Mo.--The damp and chilly October air didn’t stop seven members of Johnson County Right to Life and the UCM Catholic Campus Ministry from meeting outside Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri Friday morning.

The group arrived at the Planned Parenthood offices at 607 Burkarth Road, to have a prayer vigil from 9 to 10 a.m.

Many people at the vigil stated the event was not a protest, but rather an opportunity to pray for the unborn children.

Michael McCormick, director of the Newman Center, helped organize the event, which was the first of the planned monthly vigils.

“The reason why we want to do this is we would like to see an end to abortion, we’d like to see a conversion of souls,” McCormick said. “And the purpose of these prayers here is just to try to help with that conversion and also we want to be here to offer, that should somebody decide they don’t want to go the route that Planned Parenthood would probably advise them to go, that there are other options besides that.”

McCormick brought supporters with him including Eleanor Alderson, of Knob Noster, who said her message was one of love.

“We want to make a statement to show that we favor life and not death for babies, born and unborn, and so this is why we’re here standing and praying,” Alderson said.

Why did those involved believe it was important to let people know the event was a prayer vigil, rather than a protest?

“I think it’s vitally important to know that we’re not some kooks out here protesting whatever, you know, because there is always a bad connotation to people protesting,” Alderson said. “But when you stand here in love and pray, we believe that God affects people that come for abortions and help them to see that this is a life that they’re carrying and it’s a God-given life, so we hope to have that effect.”

Employees at the Planned Parenthood office were not allowed to speak with the media, but a representative of the Overland Park office, Sheila Kostas, director of public affairs, said:

“Planned Parenthood is committed to providing reproductive healthcare services to women and men, regardless of protesters being outside the health center,” Kostas said.