FAYETTEVILLE — A Mass was held Saturday, Aug. 28 across from the Fayetteville Women’s Clinic to give thanks that the abortion clinic closed and to remember the thousands of unborn children that were killed.
The Northwest Arkansas Respect Life Council hosted a memorial Mass in the parking lot across from the clinic. Father John Antony, pastor at St Joseph Church in Fayetteville and spiritual director of the group, celebrated the Mass for about 150 people.
Only one clinic remains in Arkansas where surgical abortions are performed. It is located in west Little Rock. According to Operation Rescue, the number of abortion clinics in the United States has decreased 68 percent in 18 years. In 2009 there were 715 abortion clinics.
According to the council president, Sheila Pursell, the purpose of the Mass was “to memorialize over 20,000 babies who died as a result of an abortion at the Fayetteville Women’s Clinic. We thank and praise God that the abortion mill is closed. No more babies will die there and no more men and women will leave there to face a life of regret over the death of their children.”
Dr. William Harrison, whose 38-year medical practice at the clinic included abortions, announced in July that he would close his clinic effective July 30 because of illness.
Since its inception in 1992, the council has been addressing issues from a distinctly Catholic perspective by implementing and promoting the U.S. bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities concerning abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. The current members represent five parishes: St. Bernard in Bella Vista, St. Joseph in Fayetteville, St. Raphael in Springdale, St. Stephen in Bentonville and St. Vincent de Paul in Rogers.
In her opening remarks before Mass, Pursell referred to the clinic as “ground zero” of Fayetteville — a site of an untold amount of death and sorrow.
“Today we are here to pray for the parents, grandparents and the clinic workers, including Dr. Harrison,” she said. “We will pray for their spiritual and emotional healing.”
Father Antony extended his welcome to those gathered for the Mass — Catholics and non-Catholics alike — as he pointed out the need to acknowledge the importance of God’s timing in the council’s efforts to stop abortions.
“His time frame is different from ours,” he said.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Debbie Magee, past president of the council, read an anonymous letter from a young woman who had had an abortion at the clinic. In her letter she shared her experience in the moments leading up to the abortion. However, in time, the woman discovered Project Rachel, a support group sponsored by the Diocese of Little Rock for women who have had an abortion.
“A year and a half later, I found Project Rachel and I learned that God is a forgiving God. I own my mistake,” she wrote. “I don’t blame anyone — not the doctor, no one. This year my son would be 12 years old.”
Project Rachel will begin new sessions starting in late September in Little Rock, Hot Springs and Fayetteville.
This fall, the council will participate in 40 Days for Life, a prayer vigil that takes place daily in front of an abortion facility.
Campaign coordinator Juliet Cassell said, “This is a cross-denominational effort and we invite other churches to get involved. This vigil is meant to be a peaceful, public witness to shine the light of Christ on a dark place. We are there to pray for a conversion of heart, offer them hope and help and hopefully to convince them that there is a better choice that won’t fill them with a life of regret.”
In the past the vigil was held in front of Harrison’s clinic. The 40 Days for Life fall campaign will begin Sept. 22 in front of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Fayetteville where “medication abortions” are offered. A rally is planned for Sept. 21 at the same location with two nationally known guest speakers, Shawn Carney, 40 Days for Life national campaign director, and Abby Johnson, former director of Planned Parenthood in Bryan/College Station, Texas, where 40 Days for Life originated.
For more information on Project Rachel, call (501) 664-0340. For more information on the Northwest Arkansas Respect Life Council, call (479) 657-6796.