In response to sweeping state laws enacted to increase the accessibility of abortions, leaders of the pro-life movement in Minnesota gathered Sept. 27 in Eden Prairie for a five-hour strategy session. The goal was to collaborate in a united effort to protect and care for life at all stages.
The Pro-Life Summit of prayer, conversation and discussion at Grace Church included more than 140 people who pondered what has happened in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 24, 2022, decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the right to abortion found in Roe v. Wade and returned abortion laws and policies to state and federal lawmakers.
Since the Dobbs decision, Minnesota has removed many abortion safeguards, including informed consent and a 24-hour waiting period. Abortions in Minnesota no longer must be performed by physicians or in a hospital after the first trimester of a pregnancy.
As a result, the number of abortions performed in Minnesota rose nearly 20 percent to 12,175 in 2022 compared with 2021, according to a report released in late June by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Representatives of several faith groups, as well as policy advocates, medical professionals, pregnancy resource center directors and caregivers discussed at Grace Church their experiences and perspectives as they seek to promote a pro-life vision.
“The current climate in the state with regard to children in the womb is pretty dramatic,” said Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston during a break.
Spearheaded by the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops, the Pro-Life Summit also was organized by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Minnesota Family Council, the University of St. Thomas Pro-life Center, and Pro-Life Action Ministries. In addition to Bishop Cozzens, the event drew Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Bishop Michael Izen of St. Paul and Minneapolis and bishops Patrick Neary of St. Cloud, Chad Zielinski of New Ulm, Daniel Felton of Duluth and Bishop Emeritus John LeVoir of New Ulm.
Bishop Cozzens held out hope during the break, sharing the story of his mother’s experience with abortion. Her water broke early when he was in her womb. The doctor told her the child would be severely deformed because of the loss of amniotic fluid and advised that the pregnancy be aborted.
Bishop Cozzen’s mother refused to accept the recommended termination of her pregnancy. She requested another doctor who advised bed rest for the remaining four months of the pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby. “Minnesota (has) a very strong pro-life movement and a really strong network of pregnancy resource centers,” concluded Bishop Cozzens. “There are real options for women to not choose abortion.”
“The reality is, I don’t think anyone wants to have an abortion” said Emily Albrecht, director of education and outreach at the Equal Rights Institute, which trains pro-life advocates to think clearly, reason honestly and argue persuasively. “No one puts in their five-year plan that they’re going to have an abortion,” she said in an interview. “People have abortions because they feel like they’re in a really difficult situation, and they seek tangible help. Our pregnancy centers are an amazing way to provide that tangible help. But even more than that, we need legislative support for women and families, practical things like affordable childcare, making healthcare more affordable, prenatal and post-partum expenses being covered — things that help women in our society feel they can go through with that pregnancy.”
One legal advocate noted during the meeting that there is a need to move away from the notion that equality for women is connected to abortion rights. This notion is what puts pro-life measures up against an industry, led by Planned Parenthood, seeking public policy consideration and funding for social service programs and abortion. And, said a public policy advocate, abortion can’t simply be outlawed without providing alternatives for mothers in need — programs that help limit the demand for abortion services.
In a panel discussion, one representative of an organization that sees women after they’ve had an abortion said women often feel guilt and regret after an abortion, and they need to know God’s love and forgiveness. She advocated winning over hearts with compassion in the spirit of Christ.
“I am the face of what the pro-life movement is trying to do,” said one woman who had three abortions, one adoption, and now tells her story to others in support of the pro-life cause.
Many at the gathering agreed that if a woman can be made to think an abortion is unnecessary, then abortion becomes unthinkable.
“The most important thing is that you have all these pro-life organizations coming together,” said Bishop LeVoir, who led participants in the opening prayer, “to try to convert our culture from a culture of death to a culture of life.”
