Eighth Abortion Facility in Dallas To Close

When Bishop Charles Grahmann began leading prayer outside Dallas abortion clinics in 1990, there were 13 abortion clinics in the city.

DALLAS, Texas (LifeSiteNews) - The Catholic Pro-Life Committee, the Respect Life Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, has reported that Aaron Women's Health Center, a late-term abortion facility in Dallas will be closing its doors on June 28. Aaron's was one of three abortion clinics in Texas authorized to perform late-term abortions on unborn babies older than 16 weeks gestation.

When Bishop Charles Grahmann began leading a monthly "Second Saturday Rosary" outside Dallas abortion clinics in 1990, there were 13 abortion clinics in the city. Seven clinics closed between 1990 and 2001, and after Aaron's closes there will remain only five freestanding abortion clinics in Dallas. The Catholic Pro-Life Committee and others have vowed to continue to pray and offer alternatives to abortion outside those remaining five clinics.

The Catholic Pro-Life Committee has maintained a constant presence of peaceful prayer and sidewalk counseling in front of Aaron's for over a decade and participated in a "40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil" there in 2004.

During the 40 Days Vigil, a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ecumenical effort was organized, with more than 800 people from 89 churches and several denominations praying and fasting for an end to the killing of babies inside the clinic.

"We are overjoyed to hear that this notorious place of death is finally closing," said Karen Garnett, executive director of the Catholic Pro-Life Committee.

"Not only is this a victory for the pro-life movement, for mothers and for babies, but it is a victory for Dallas as well, as the horrific practice of the killing of unborn children will take place at one less location in our city: Dallas will no longer be the home of a late-term abortion facility.

"We thank God for the many lives that will be saved and mothers spared the agony and regret of abortion with the closing of Aaron's. We stand ready to offer help and healing to those who have made the abortion decision at Aaron's or any other abortion facilities. We mourn the tremendous loss of so many thousands of innocent human lives, and we'll continue to pray and work towards the day when Dallas is an abortion-free city and the blood of innocent unborn children is no longer shed here."

Bishop Kevin Farrell of the Diocese of Dallas welcomed news of the closure of the clinic, saying, "This is the best news I've heard all week." He expressed his personal gratitude to everyone who has offered prayers and sacrifices for an end to the killing. A Mass of Thanksgiving for the closing of Aaron's will be celebrated Saturday, June 28.

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