Defending Life Season 33

Began airing September 2, 2018

This series on EWTN features Executive Director Janet Morana, with co-hosts Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, Priest Associate and others as they discuss pro-life strategies and interview fascinating guests.

See our media schedule to find the topic for each week.

Help us promote this series. Click here to download a promotional flier to print and distribute.

 

Pro-Life meditations on each show are from Fr. Frank Pavone's daily devotional, Pro-Life Reflections for Everyday.  Order your copy at the Priests for Life online store.

 



Episode 1: Political Responsibility (Pt. 1)

Hear the ten steps of voting with a clear conscience – based on Scripture, Church teaching, and political commonsense. Order our brochure, Voting with a Clear Conscience.

Featured Product: Proclaiming the Message of LifeThese weekly reflections from the Lectionary by Fr. Frank Pavone are useful for both clergy and laity and contain pro-life reflections for every Sunday of all three liturgical years. Servant Publications.




Episode 2: Political Responsibility (Pt. 2)

Learn the ten responses you can make to politicians who support abortion and learn how to compare the positions of the two major political parties. Order the Party Platform Comparison and the 10 Responses to Pro-Abortion Politicians brochure.

Guest: Cardinal Renato Martino

Featured Product: Tears of the Fisherman. This book by Kevin Burke will help readers understand the wider impact of abortion on men, their relationships, families, faith and work lives.




Episode 3: 20th Anniversary of Living The Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics.

This 1998 document from the US Bishops discusses the political responsibility of God’s people to advance the culture of life in the voting booth. Read the document and the Priests for Life study guide.

Featured Product: Shockwaves: Abortion’s Wider Circle of VictimsThis book by Janet Morana, Executive Director of Priests for Life shines a bright light on the undeniable truth of abortion, that it impacts everyone.


Airs November 21, 2019 at 10:30 pm ET.

The document Living the Gospel of Life is now 21 years old (2019). The relevance of it was seen in the semi-annual meeting of the US Bishops in Baltimore in November 2019 when they again voted to remind the faithful that abortion is a “preeminent priority” in their consideration of the issues. Fr. Frank wrote about this in his Newsmax.com column.

In this episode of Defending Life, our co-hosts discuss the priority of abortion and also highlight various key quotes from the document, particularly the following:

...the most basic human right, "the right to life, is being denied or trampled upon, especially at the more significant moments of existence: the moment of birth and the moment of death" (Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life [Evangelium Vitae], 18). LGL #4

We live the Gospel of Life when we live in solidarity with the poor of the world, standing up for their lives and dignity. Yet abortion and euthanasia have become preeminent threats to human dignity because they directly attack life itself, the most fundamental human good and the condition for all others. They are committed against those who are weakest and most defenseless, those who are genuinely "the poorest of the poor." LGL #5

Direct abortion is never a morally tolerable option. It is always a grave act of violence against a woman and her unborn child. This is so even when a woman does not see the truth because of the pressures she may be subjected to, often by the child's father, her parents or friends. LGL #20

As chief teachers in the Church, we (bishops) must therefore explain, persuade, correct and admonish those in leadership positions who contradict the Gospel of life through their actions and policies. LGL #28

Be sure to utilize our study guide on Living the Gospel of Life. This is particularly appropriate as a tool for voter education as we approach the elections of 2020.

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Episode 4: The Reality of Late Term Abortion (Pt. 1)

 

Abortions are carried out legally in America throughout the pregnancy, including on healthy babies of healthy mothers. Hear the results of an undercover project of Priests for Life, showing the evidence.

Featured Product: Inside the Atheist Mind. Using irony and a healthy dose of playful sarcasm, Inside the Atheist Mind lampoons, teases, and deflates the atheist position, unmasking it for what it is_an empty, intellectually barren philosophy, devoid of any logic and common sense.


The Reality of Late Term Abortion Part 1

Airing: Thursday, November 28 at 10:30 pm on EWTN.

Abortions are carried out legally in America throughout the pregnancy, including on healthy babies of healthy mothers. Hear the results of an undercover project of Priests for Life, showing the evidence.

Abortions happen legally even if someone is 30 weeks pregnant (or beyond), is healthy, and is carrying a healthy baby.

Priests for Life commissioned phone calls to legal abortion clinics around the country. In the calls, which you can listen to www.ExposeAbortion.net, our caller poses as a pregnant mother seeking an abortion appointment, usually in the latest stages of pregnancy, with both the mother and baby in perfect health. In one call, we hear the clinic schedule an abortion for a healthy mother carrying a healthy baby at 30 weeks of pregnancy!

We ask you to spread this information in every way you can. Show people that healthy babies, carried by healthy mothers, are being aborted in the second and even third trimester of pregnancy.

Here is the transcript of just one of those calls.

 

30 Week Abortion New Mexico

Georgia:                      Southwestern Women's Options. This is Georgia. How can I help you today?

Female 1:                    Yes, I need to schedule an abortion.

Georgia:                      Okay. Do you know the first day of your last normal period?

Female 1:                    Yeah, it was back in October 8th of 2016.

Georgia:                      October 8th. And have you had an ultrasound done?

Female 1:                    Yes, I have.

Georgia:                      Okay.

Female 2:                    Can you tell me, do you have a BPD measurement or a due date?

Female 1:                    I have a due date, July 15th.

Female 2:                    Okay. So yeah, almost 30. 30. Is there anything wrong with the fetus?

Female 1:                    No, there's not. It's more just life happening. My husband lost his job. We already have some kids and were planning to continue the pregnancy, but now with our world falling apart we just felt like this was the best way out.

Female 2:                    Do you yourself have anything going on medically like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure?

Female 1:                    No.

Female 2:                    Are you currently taking any medications for any reason?

Female 1:                    No.

Female 2:                    Well, the doctor has accepted you as a patient. We'll be scheduling you for Tuesday next week, so we'll be starting on the 9th –

[End of Audio]

 



Episode 5: The Reality of Late Term Abortion (Pt. 2)

In 2017, Priests for Life commissioned a series of undercover phone calls to legal abortion clinics throughout America revealing that even someone 32 weeks pregnant and healthy can schedule to have her healthy baby killed legally.

Featured Product: Proclaiming the Message of Life. These weekly reflections from the Lectionary by Fr. Frank Pavone are useful for both clergy and laity and contain pro-life reflections for every Sunday of all three liturgical years. Servant Publications. 


Abortions are carried out legally in America throughout the pregnancy, including on healthy babies of healthy mothers. Hear the results of an undercover project of Priests for Life, showing the evidence.

Abortions happen legally even if someone is 30 weeks pregnant (or beyond), is healthy, and is carrying a healthy baby.

Priests for Life commissioned phone calls to legal abortion clinics around the country. In the calls, which you can listen to www.ExposeAbortion.net, our caller poses as a pregnant mother seeking an abortion appointment, usually in the latest stages of pregnancy, with both the mother and baby in perfect health. In one call, we hear the clinic schedule an abortion for a healthy mother carrying a healthy baby at 30 weeks of pregnancy!

We ask you to spread this information in every way you can. Show people that healthy babies, carried by healthy mothers, are being aborted in the second and even third trimester of pregnancy.

Here is the transcript of two of those calls.

 

Leroy Carhart, Bethesda, MD

 

Automated message:    Thank you for calling AbortionClinics.org.  To make an appointment or to reach a receptionist please press zero. 

Respondent:      AbortionClinics.org.  How can I help you?

Caller:   Yeah.  I was wondering if you guys do abortions at 26 weeks of pregnancy.

Respondent:      We do in Maryland.

Caller:   Okay.  How much does something like that cost?

Respondent:      It just depends on your medical history.

Caller:   Okay.

Respondent:      Is it for you, hon?

Caller:   Yes.

Respondent:      Okay.  Do you have a history of having any C-sections?

Caller:   No.

Respondent:      Sorry.  Do you have any major medical problems at all?

Caller:   No.

Respondent:      Is there anything wrong with you or your pregnancy?

Caller:   No.

Respondent:      What's your height and weight?

Caller:   Five three and I'm 165.

Respondent:      Okay.  And do you know your blood type?

Caller:   A positive.

Respondent:      Okay.  So based on that information at 26 weeks it's $7,000.00.

Caller:   Okay. Well I was just mostly wanting to get some information. I've sort of been going back and forth on my decision.  I wanted to see how much it was and if you guys could actually do it.  And like are you able to tell me like what the procedure is?

Respondent:      Yes.  So basically we can see you up until 28 weeks.  If there's no medical reason after 28 weeks case by case basis and right now at 26 weeks it's a three-day procedure.  The first two days – well the first day you'd be in the clinic.  The doctor would do an injection through your abdomen wall into your uterus and into the fetus' heart which would actually stop the heartbeat the first day. 

And we also on the first day, first or second day based on your dilating your cervix we insert what's called laminaria.  It's an FDA approved seaweed stick.  It kind of looks like a small, wooden stick.  It sits in your cervix overnight and absorbs body fluid and expands kind of like a tampon will to be able to open your cervix up.

Caller:   Uh-huh.

Respondent:      And on the last day which would be the third day basically essentially would be induced for labor.

Caller:   Oh.

Respondent:      And then if you wait until 27 weeks it becomes four days.  So first three days are dilation and the last day is the induction.

Caller:   Okay. And so when you say labor you mean that's like delivering the baby or –

 

Respondent:      Yes.  Essentially it's a still birth.

____________________________________________________________

CURTIS BOYD:

Interviewee:                      Dr. Boyd’s.  This is Susan.  How may I help you?

Interviewer:       Yes, I was just wondering what services you offer.  I'm pregnant and my name's Bethany and I'm just wondering...

Interviewee:                      We do pregnancy terminations here.

Interviewer:                       Mm-hmm.

Interviewee:                      How - what was the first day of your last normal period?

Interviewer:                       12/14/16.

Interviewee:                      Do you know how far you think you are?

Interviewer:                       29 weeks, I believe.

Interviewee:                      Okay.  So, where are you calling from?

Interviewer:                       I'm actually calling from Texas, from Lubbock, Texas.

Interviewee:      Okay.  So, what we do is, at this time in the pregnancy for terminations, is what we call an induction procedure.  It will require you to be in Albuquerque from the Monday afternoon or evening through a Friday afternoon or evening.  We'll be spending a couple of days softening and dilating your cervix, and then we will induce labor so you will be going through the active labor and delivery of a stillborn.  Is there anything wrong with the pregnancy?

Interviewer:                       Well, they said they saw an anomaly.

Interviewee:                      'Kay.  They tell you what they were?

Interviewer:       They weren't sure if it was maybe something that’s Down Syndrome, and that kind of made me nervous, because I don't really - I don't wanna - I'm afraid to deal with all that.

Interviewee:      Sure, of course, of course.  That's a lifetime of commitment.  We would be starting this procedure on the 11th.  Now, at that point in time, you would be looking at a $11,500 fee.  And the week after that, if we can't make it happen by next week, we're gonna be looking at a $12, 500 fee.

Interviewer:       So when is the latest I need to let you know, what my decision is?  'Cause, I mean, you know, I have to travel out there and everything.

Interviewee:                      We don't have any gestational limits for fetal anomalies.

Interviewer:       My big concern is, I'm Catholic and religious, so I would like to know if there's a possibility of having a priest there, or how does that work?  Do you even have that?  'Cause -

Interviewee:      We work with an organization called the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and, believe it or not, there is a priest affiliated with them.  He has come here on numerous occasions to talk to patients, either as they're going through the process or afterwards. 

Interviewer:       Mm-hmm.

Interviewee:      And that would definitely be something that we can look into, to have him come.  People at the RCRC are really wonderful.  They're pro-choice, help patients with whatever religious criteria that they want to meet for themselves.  We work with them all the time and, you know, we don't know how we'd do without them, really.



Episode 6: Tears of the Fisherman

Our hosts discuss men wounded by abortions that they took part in or that happened without their knowledge or consent. The path to healing is explored.

Featured Product: Tears of the FishermanThis book by Kevin Burke, Pastoral Associate, Priests for Life and Co-founder, Rachel's Vineyard will help readers understand the wider impact of abortion on men, their relationships, families, faith and work lives.




Episode 7: Our Pro-life Work At The United Nations

Priests for Life is fighting for the unborn on the battlefield of the United Nations. You can participate in that battle too. Guest: Marie Smith, Director of Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues.

Featured Product: Shockwaves: Abortion’s Wider Circle of VictimsThis book by Janet Morana, Executive Director of Priests for Life shines a bright light on the undeniable truth of abortion, that it impacts everyone.




Episode 8: Silent No More

Hear the voices of those who have had abortions. They remain one of the most powerful tools we have to fight it.

Featured Product: Inside the Atheist MindUsing irony and a healthy dose of playful sarcasm, Inside the Atheist Mind lampoons, teases, and deflates the atheist position, unmasking it for what it is an empty, intellectually barren philosophy, devoid of any logic and common sense.




Episode 9: Healing the Shockwaves of Abortion (Pt. 1)

The “shockwaves” of abortion refer to the damage done to various people connected with those who undergo the procedure.

Featured Product: Proclaiming the Message of LifeThese weekly reflections from the Lectionary by Fr. Frank Pavone are useful for both clergy and laity and contain pro-life reflections for every Sunday of all three liturgical years. Servant Publications. 




Episode 10: Healing the Shockwaves of Abortion (Pt. 2)

Every abortion damages an entire family, and healing after abortion involves the healing of the whole family. Guests: David & Marisa Rosa.

Featured Product: Shockwaves: Abortion’s Wider Circle of VictimsThis book by Janet Morana, Executive Director of Priests for Life shines a bright light on the undeniable truth of abortion, that it impacts everyone.




Episode 11: 50th Anniversary of Humane Vitae by Pope Paul VI

The prophecies of this document, about what would happen if society practiced contraception, have all come true.

Featured Product: Tears of the FishermanThis book by Kevin Burke, Pastoral Associate, Priests for Life and Co-founder, Rachel's Vineyard will help readers understand the wider impact of abortion on men, their relationships, families, faith and work lives.




Episode 12: Parliamentary Network For Critical Issues

Priests for Life is assisting legislators in other countries to protect children in the womb. Guest: Marie Smith, Director of Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues.

Featured Product: Inside the Atheist MindUsing irony and a healthy dose of playful sarcasm, Inside the Atheist Mind lampoons, teases, and deflates the atheist position, unmasking it for what it is an empty, intellectually barren philosophy, devoid of any logic and common sense.




Episode 13: Pain Capable Bill

The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is the next crucial step in legislation to protect the unborn and end abortion. Guest: Irene Zamorano, Silent No More Regional Coordinator in Los Angeles.

Featured ProductShockwaves: Abortion’s Wider Circle of VictimsThis book by Janet Morana, Executive Director of Priests for Life shines a bright light on the undeniable truth of abortion, that it impacts everyone.





Priests for Life
PO Box 236695 • Cocoa, FL 32923
Tel. 321-500-1000, Toll Free 888-735-3448 • Email: mail@priestsforlife.org