Pray for the unborn.

Dear Pro-Life Warriors,

For 15 years, Chattanooga has been blessed with an absence of abortion clinics. Tragically, that may soon change. Initially reported in the Chattanoogan.com and Lifenews.com websites on 17 July and cautioned as a possible hoax by a News 9 investigation on 18 July, it now appears that an abortion clinic is likely to open up at 4066 Hixson Pike in Hixson, TN. Evidently, sale or lease of the property for this deadly purpose is in the making.

A website identified as TNabortion.com recently advertised the future opening of an abortion clinic in Chattanooga. The website proclaimed that “In August 2008, we will be opening a new, state of the art facility in Chattanooga, TN!!” However, given the tremendous amount of attention the news generated, the website was suddenly no longer available for viewing. Though detailed information is still not available, this certainly does not mean that a clinic is not in the planning for the greater Chattanooga area.

Abortion providers, most notably Planned Parenthood, often cloak their efforts to build and open new clinics in much secrecy. Such was the case last year in Aurora, Ill. Building permits were issued for the “Gemini Office Development.” However, as the building neared completion and bullet proof windows and security cameras were installed and a sign erected with the name “Gemini Health Center” on it, people became suspicious. Building permits and other required documentation for the opening of the facility were determined to have been deliberately deceptive.

As various groups continue to investigate the claim of a new abortion clinic opening in Chattanooga, I would like to ask that we intensify our intercessions for a culture of life. Even though Chattanooga may not presently have an abortion facility, Chattanoogans are still traveling to Knoxville and Atlanta where clinics do exist. As we prepare for our second 40 Days for Life campaign in Knoxville from 24 Sep – 2 Nov, we are especially in need of your prayers for its success.

Chattanoogans have long prided themselves on closing down their last abortion clinic and transforming it into a National Memorial for the Unborn as a place of healing. If indeed an abortion clinic is to open in Hixson, a 40 Days for Life campaign will be immediately coordinated in order to help bring prayer, fasting and vigil to bear upon this developing situation.

Approximately 10,000 abortions occur every year in Tennessee, almost 4000 alone in Knoxville. The horrific nature of this so-called procedure, even in its earliest stages, is both torture and murder of the innocent, intrinsic evils of the greatest magnitude. Through our intercessions and sacrifices let us pray to keep Chattanooga abortion-free and that Knoxville can likewise witness an end to this horrendous plague in its city.

Cindy Kedrowski is keeping a very close tab on this story and will be able to provide ongoing details as they develop. I will be departing in just two hours for travel to Philadelphia and Camden, NJ in order to attend the national gathering of Diocesan Pro-Life Directors conference. I will return late Sunday night. I will certainly use my time at this conference to help bring national attention to this tragedy and to ask for prayers and support.

Be assured of my prayers while I’m in Philadelphia and my fullest support upon my return. God bless you and all you do for the Gospel of Life

Respectfully in Christ,

Paul
Paul D. Simoneau LtCol USMC (Ret.), M.E.V.
Director, Office of Justice and Peace
Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville
805 Northshore Dr. SW
P.O. Box 11127 (37939)
Knoxville, TN 37919

p: (865) 862-5753
e: psimoneau@dioceseofknoxville.org


Matthew and I participated in the 40-Days-for-Life vigil last year in Knoxville, and I surely expect to do the same this year, even though we are residing in Ga. now.
I am just going to pray that I will be going back to Knoxville for this, and not so close to home!
So sad.