On Saturday, January 15, at 10:45 AM — as the nation waits to see if the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade — the Birmingham March for Life, United for Life and Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life will gather leaders and citizens from across the city for a one-hour Prayer Vigil & Witness for Life in front of Planned Parenthood (Located at 1019 1st Ave N).
In the fall of 2021, the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments for two crucial cases — one from Texas and one from Mississippi. Both have brought a direct challenge to Roe vs. Wade, but Dobbs vs. Jackson, especially, has raised the hopes of pro-life citizens and raised an alarm among abortion advocates and providers.
If Roe vs. Wade were to be overturned, Alabama has already established a strong foundation for protecting the preborn through a 2018 amendment to the state constitution which recognizes preborn children as full human persons.
Fr. Terry Gensemer, director of CEC For Life and emcee for the upcoming Vigil, says, “We are living in a moment where Roe could be overturned and the tyranny of abortion — an industry that has profited from the destruction of children, injured and killed Alabama women, and devastated the families of this state — might finally come to an end in Alabama. The time to gather and pray is now, and we are honored and excited to stand with people from all over the city of Birmingham for the sake of every human life, born and unborn.”
There are currently five abortion clinics in the state of Alabama, and they do not offer an encouraging picture. Some are constantly struggling to find or keep abortion providers, and at least one is currently involved in an alarming lawsuit from a patient who nearly bled to death in 2020.
Planned Parenthood Birmingham is actually one of the lowest performing abortion clinics in the state, only having performed 210 abortions in 2020 out of 5,713. Planned Parenthood of Mobile performed even less — only 21 for the whole year.
In 2019 and 2018, the two clinics performed no abortions, at least not any reported to the Department of Public Health. Planned Parenthood does not seem to be the vital healthcare provider it often portrays itself as in Alabama news.
Lisa Hogan, director of Sav-A-Life Vestavia, comments, “Alabama women do not need Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry. In a time of growing uncertainty, where more and more women are struggling financially and in need of help, centers like ours are readily offering appropriate resources, compassion, and hope. Hope has sometimes been more important for these women than even physical needs. We are here, we are expanding our services every year, and we are well prepared for a post-Roe Birmingham.”
The January 15th Vigil will be an ecumenical and diverse gathering of citizens and leaders geared towards praying for the preborn and the closing of Planned Parenthood, for an end to abortion in Alabama and a Supreme Court ruling that will uphold the sanctity of life.
The same Vigil was organized in January 2021 in lieu of the annual Birmingham March for Life. Over 500 citizens showed up to pray, worship and hear encouraging words from local leaders. With such a great turnout, it was decided to hold the Vigil again this January, still in lieu of the March for Life.
Speakers will include: Jim Pinto, Life, Marriage & Family Advocate; Fr. Terry Gensemer, CEC For Life; Attorney Eric Johnston, Alabama Pro-life Coalition; Charlie Bruce of Life on Wheels Alabama; Lisa Hogan, Sav-A-Life Vestavia; and more.
Jim Pinto, long-time organizer of the March for Life, comments, “The many faithful seeds planted over the years in the promotion and defense of preborn life are poised to yield a fruitful harvest of life in this new year!”
