Omaha Archbishop George J. Lucas compared abortion to homicide Tuesday in his appeal to Omahans to oppose a new Planned Parenthood center.
The center, in northwest Omaha, will provide abortions, among other services.
While Omaha residents are striving to reduce violence, Lucas said in a statement, it is “ironic that Planned Parenthood is now proposing to increase the possibility of violent attacks on innocent human life, attacks that are no less harmful to the life of our community even though they remain largely hidden from view.”
Jill June, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, said Lucas’ statement contains “very harsh rhetoric.”
“We are continuing full speed ahead with our plan to build a beautiful Planned Parenthood clinic for the people of Omaha,” June said Tuesday. “Abortion has been a legal medical service in the United States for well over 30 years. And it is important that women have access to safe and legal abortions because when they do not, they suffer and die from illegal and unsafe abortions.”
Planned Parenthood announced five weeks ago that it would open a clinic at 3105 N. 93rd St. by the end of the year. The clinic will offer abortions as well as cancer screenings, annual exams, birth control, adoption referrals, educational material and other services.
Lucas’ statement encouraged “Catholics and all women and men of good will in Omaha” to oppose the center. He asked Omahans to sign a petition drawn up by Nebraskans United for Life and asked people to attend that group’s prayer vigil Saturday at 1 p.m. at the site where the center is planned.
Nebraskans United for Life, which describes itself as a statewide nonprofit, nonsectarian group established to respect and protect “all human life, born and unborn,” hopes to use the signed petitions to demonstrate the need for City Council members and state lawmakers to intervene in some way, said Ann Marie Bowen, president of the organization.
Petitions have gone out to churches of various denominations, neighborhoods and pro-life organizations, Bowen said.
June said the center would offer educational material on sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy as well as contraceptives that will reduce the need for abortions.
“We only ask to be permitted to provide the services that women want and need that are medically safe and legal,” she said.
The Rev. Joseph Taphorn, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Omaha, said June was free to describe the archbishop’s statement as harsh or however she wished. “I think the statement is clear,” he said. “Abortion is a procedure that kills children. And there is no nice way to say that because it’s not a nice procedure. It’s a very violent procedure.”
Lucas concluded his statement by saying he planned to attend the vigil on Saturday.
“Make your voice heard in opposition to the efforts of Planned Parenthood to expand the culture of violence and death in Omaha,” Lucas wrote. “Please pray for a greater respect for all human life, from conception to natural death.”
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