Bernard Nathanson - R.I.P.
Yesterday, February 21, 2011 we received word that
Dr. Bernard Nathanson, M.D. had passed away after suffering these past years from cancer. Nathanson was the last surviving member of the original group that founded NARAL back in the 1960s. He was responsible along with Lawrence Lader and others with the successful efforts to legalize abortion in New York prior to Roe v. Wade. He ran the world's largest abortion mill at the time and was responsible as he later said for the deaths of over 60,000 unborn children.
While he was a pioneer in favor of abortion, he was the darling of the media. Then in 1974 he wrote an
article published in the New England Journal of Medicine questioning his support for unrestricted abortion. The backlash form the media was immediate. No longer was he the respected forward thinking crusader for woman's rights. Yet the article was not a pro-life manifesto. It merely asked the question. But for Bernard Nathanson, the intellect that he was, the question continued to haunt his mind.
He next wrote the book
"Aborting America" which continued to explain his ever evolving thoughts on the abortion issue.
This was later followed by his ground breaking movies,
The Silent Scream and
Eclipse of Reason, both which now firmly articulated the reason why abortion was morally wrong.
But it was his 1996 book "
The Hand of God" that finally spoke to the real purpose of the man's life and
how the mercy and love of God had brought about his redemption.
However, these books and films made no difference to his former crowd. He was shunned and ignored by the very people who thought he was so forward thinking just a short time age. Their hearts were cold. They would not even try to understand him.
As the saving power of God's love and mercy continued to enfold him, Nathanson still lived with the demons of his past. His brutal honesty forced him to consider the reality of truth and the existence of God. Soon he was received into the Catholic Church. His godmother was Joan Andrews Bell, noted pro-life activist. His confirmation sponsor was Chris Slattery, founder and director of EMC Pregnancy Centers in NYC. He was baptized by the late John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York.
I first personally met "Bernie" as he was known to his friends (though I always referred to him directly as "Dr. Nathanson"), when I needed an expert in an medical malpractice case concerning a botched abortion in the early 1980s. We became first professionally and then personally acquainted through that experience. After that we would visit on occasion and later became friends during National Right to Life conferences. Arizona Right to Life invited him come speak at our own state conference during the promotion of the two abortion films.
But it was years later during my visits to NYC while handling either a particular legal matter or during some pro-life activity that I would see him at the 8:30 am daily mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. We would visit for a moment after mass and I could sense the grave weight and deep grief in the man. The awareness of his past life was before him. He felt the pain and understood the healing power of God's mercy - yet as a man - he still grieved the life he had led. And so it became even more clear to me the effect of sin in a man's life and the long shadow sin casts even upon one's future days. How appropriate that Christ is called the Light of the World, for He is the Light who will banish away all of the dark shadows of our past.
Bernie has now gone to his rest. We pray for him and all those who have been snared by the evil of abortion. We pray that this horror in our land will end and for the redemption of all who have been enlisted in this evil practice. Perhaps Bernie's example will be the means of their salvation.
Labels: abortion, Nathanson
Arizona Medical Board restricts Phoenix Abortionist Gabrielle Goodrick's license
In further news that will not make it on television, radio or in the financially troubled Arizona Republic, local Phoenix abortionist Gabrielle Goodnick had her license to practice medicine restricted in December 2010 due to abuse of prescription medication. In an
Order for Probation with License Restriction, the Board issued findings of fact and conclusions of law restricting her use of intravenous and prescription medication and putting her on probation for five years.
Goodrick has an abortion practice in Phoenix. She used to work for Planned Parenthood.
Her problems reflect the similar problems many have seen in other abortionists throughout the country. Former abortionists speak of the addictions, the personal, and emotional problems that cast a dark cloud over their lives. Tragically most abortionists fail to realize that killing babies and putting women at risk will take a toll on the soul. Simply stated such actions will kill the soul if not stopped.
Throughout the country, we are seeing the deadly impact of abortion on everyone's lives, be it the baby, the woman, the clinic worker, the abortionist, the nurse.
So who really benefits from abortion?
No one.
Pray that Goodrick and all abortionists will quit this practice of death and use their skills to be healers as they were meant to be.
Labels: abortion, goodrick
Donald Trump - pro-life? Here is a challenge
I saw the story that Donald Trump says that he is pro-life. I also heard that he mentioned it on the Laura Ingraham Show. Well I am happy to know he wants to be one of us. And I welcome him to the battle. But in truth my first thought to this fellow who likes to fire people on TV as to all political multi-millionaires is -
show me the money.
After all talk is cheap. Our pro-life pregnancy centers need help. Our state and local right to life offices could use some help getting organized and properly staffed. The St. Vincent de Paul and other groups that help unwed moms and their babies need real financial help. Where have these guys been to help us in the day-to-day nitty-gritty work that shows you are really pro-life.
Now don't get me wrong. I am always pleased to see someone realize the tragedy and the sadness of abortion and how it has ripped this nation apart.
But I want to end it - now. I want laws to protect women and unborn children in place - NOW. And folks with money can buy advertising time to get our message past the censorship of the mainstream media.
So as for the Donald, he should BUY an hour of prime TV time and show the nation the horror of abortion. This program should have leaders from Silent No More explain that abortion harms women. The program should show the 4G ultrasound and the pictures of the aborted babies. Then this nation can have a real conversation about what it wants her future to really look like.
If Donald Trump would do this, then he can talk about being 'pro-life."
He will also show some real guts.
Come to think about it.... There are some other folks with the money to do the same thing.
Lets see who really has the 'cajones' to act.
A SPECIAL EVENING WITH FR. FRANK PAVONE - MARCH 18, 2011
ARIZONA RIGHT TO LIFE PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH FR. FRANK PAVONE DIRECTOR FOR PRIESTS OF LIFE -
MARCH 18, 2011
Join Arizona Right to Life at the
Scottsdale Chaparral Suites on Friday March 18, 2011 for an exciting uplifting and informative presentation on the current state of the pro-life movement throughout the nation. Find out the latest about federal efforts to de-fund Planned Parenthood, the undercover work of Live Action, the national outreach to the minority community and more.
The General session begins at 7:00 pm and is only a $10 donation per person.
You are invited to join us for a private reception beginning at 5:30 pm to meet and talk personally with Fr. Frank.
Tickets for the private reception are $65/person or $100/couple.
Tickets include preferred seating at the General Session.
CONTACT ARIZONA RIGHT TO LIFE AT 602-285-0063 FOR RESERVATIONS OR GO ONLINE AT
Arizona Right to Life. You may also click
here to REGISTER.
Please pass the word. This will be a great evening of education and inspiration.
