Louisville archbishop prays outside abortion clinic

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville kneels in prayer in front of an abortion clinic in downtown Louisville on Nov. 10 with 300 pro-life supporters from southern Indiana and Kentucky.

By Mary Ann Wyand

LOUISVILLE—Recently installed Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville held rosary beads and knelt on the sidewalk in front of the E.M.W. Women’s Surgical Center, a downtown abortion facility, on Nov. 10 to pray with about 300 pro-life supporters from Kentucky and southern Indiana in the hope of changing women’s minds and saving the lives of unborn babies.

Archbishop Kurtz said after the rosary that he delayed his flight to Baltimore for the U.S. bishops’ fall general meeting until Nov. 11 so he could pray outside the abortion clinic for the first time.

“I came obviously in prayer and in a manner that embraces both truth and compassion,” Archbishop Kurtz said. “I was honored to be able to join with others who have a deep respect for human life and who expressed it in prayer and in great civility.

“I also join with those who are reaching out in compassion to those in need,” he said, “and who really need not only our prayers but [also] prayers that lead us to an action that helps them welcome the gift of human life, and helps them overcome the barriers that would cause them to turn away from the sanctity for human life.”

Archbishop Kurtz serves on the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities. He was installed as archbishop of Louisville on Aug. 15, and had served as bishop of Knoxville, Tenn., since Dec. 8, 1999.

Pro-life supporters from New Albany Deanery parishes in southern Indiana brought the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe with them to Louisville for the rosary in front of the abortion clinic.

During the rosary, the images of a crucifix and Our Lady of Guadalupe could be seen reflected in the front windows of the abortion facility.

Joining Archbishop Kurtz for the pro-life prayers with several hundred Catholics were Father Peter West of Priests for Life and the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J.; Conventual Franciscan Father John Curran, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Sellersburg; Father James Bromwich, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Campbellsville, Ky., and Our Lady of the Hills Parish in Finley, Ky.; Father Daniel Whelan, parochial vicar of Holy Spirit Parish in Louisville; and Servants of the Gospel of Life Sister Diane Carollo, director of the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry, who coordinates the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants pro-life sidewalk counseling and Project Rachel post-abortion reconciliation ministries.

(Next week: Coverage of “I Love Life” conference in New Albany Deanery and “40 Days for Life” in Indianapolis.) †