Bishop leads hundreds in rosary at Phoenix abortion clinic

By Joyce Coronel | Nov. 17, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

While many people in the Valley spent Oct. 31 preparing for Halloween festivities, more than 200 Catholics crowded the sidewalks at a central Phoenix abortion clinic to pray.

Motorists driving along Seventh Avenue saw 30 matachines dressed in their scarlet traditional attire emblazoned with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The matachines drummed and danced before a replica of St. Juan Diego’s tilma placed in front of the Planned Parenthood clinic.

María Minjarez of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, who accompanied the group of dancers, said the matachines were there for a simple reason: “God gives life,” Minjarez said, “and He tells us not to take it.”

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, flanked by several Knights of Columbus in full regalia, asked those gathered to pray for the mothers facing difficult pregnancies, but also shared his concerns about the current political situation.

“We pray for conversion of hearts for those who are in positions that have an impact on laws and legislation, that they may recognize the dignity of every human person and put into place the laws that are needed to protect each of them, especially the unborn child,” Bishop Olmsted said.

Among those gathered to pray were representatives of the 40 Days for Life campaign, a national effort to hold 40-day prayer vigils in front of North American abortion clinics.

Beth Straley of Mesa, one of the coordinators of the group, prayed at the site for 37 of the 40 days. She said organizers know of at least 12 babies who had been saved from abortions due to the prayer effort. All 12 women sought help from nearby pro-life clinics.

Straley said she felt called to witness to women who went through with abortions since she understands firsthand the anguish they feel.

“The Lord has used me primarily to be out here for women that come out broken,” Straley said. “More and more now we’re seeing women come out and having been given the information before they went in — they’re more readily realizing that what we spoke before they went in was the truth.”

Debbie Gambert was one of two women sporting black T-shirts identifying themselves as women who regret having had an abortion.

“So many people have come up to us saying that it means so much to see us here witnessing to our regret of abortion. I just think the Spirit works through that,” Gambert said. “You’re going to see more and more women out there witnessing to that.”

John Jakubczyk, president of Life Education Corp., said the pro-life movement is committed to helping women who have experienced the pain of abortion.

“We’re about conversion, we’re about reconciliation and restoration,” he said. “We have literally millions of women throughout this country who are suffering in silence.”