Al Gnoza
There is encouraging news for Catholics as far as abortion goes. The number of abortions performed in Pennsylvania during 2017 was the lowest number ever recorded — just over 30,000. It’s a decrease of 870 from the prior year and way down from the all-time recorded high of nearly 66,000 in 1980.
That news was reported just last month by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. It is definitely a case of the glass being half-full or half-empty. There is still the fact that while 30,000 marks a low point, it is still 30,000 too many. So there is still work to be done.
One of the groups doing that work — and one that likely deserves credit for bringing the number of abortions down — is Real Alternatives, a group that has been offering free pregnancy support services for 24 years.
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You may not recognize them by name. You may not even recognize them by their toll free 1-888-LIFE AID phone number. But over the last 23-plus years they have served over 300,000 clients. The group has spread nationally after being started in Pennsylvania, where it continues to flourish. There are 91 centers across the state that are affiliated with Real Alternatives, whether they be Catholic Charities Centers, adoption homes or pregnancy centers.
(Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is a leading provider of pregnancy support services with Real Alternatives, and a multi-year award winner of the group — read more here and here.)
“In Pennsylvania, we have 400-plus counselors who will take the time and listen (to a pregnant woman), walk with her and be with her through the moment of conception through 12 months after birth,” said Real Alternatives President and CEO Kevin Bagatta. “That empowers her to overcome obstacles so she doesn’t feel she has to abort the baby.
“Surveys show that a lot of times women choose abortion because they are alone,” Bagatta said. “They don’t have anyone — parents, boyfriends. They are by themselves.”
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Ironically the start of the program was made possible by Democratic Governor Bob Casey, who was pro-life. In 1995 he put funding into the state budget so that a program could be started to help women in the case of unexpected pregnancies. Bagatta said the legislature’s Pro-Life Caucus leaders, led by former state Rep. Joe Pitts, helped secure continued funding for the program.
In 1999 Real Alternatives started a national expansion program to educate other states about Pennsylvania’s program. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum looked into the possibility of using federal funds to alternative-to-abortion services programs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved the use of the funds and a national funding source paved the way for a national program.
Among the many testimonials that Bagatta has received is a letter sent last summer by Vice President Mike Pence.
“I send my special congratulations to everyone with Pennsylvania Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program as you celebrate serving 300,000 women and families over the past 22 years,” Pence wrote. “With your caring and compassionate work, I have great confidence that we can continue to restore a culture of life in our nation and build a brighter future for generations to come.”
But as you might imagine, there are those who feel differently and are very vocal in those feelings.
“There are folks that don’t want us funded,” said Bagatta. “At the root of it is always politics.”
Yet Real Alternatives keeps serving women, who can find support by calling 1-888-LIFE AID.
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Al Gnoza is communications director for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, the public affairs agency of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania.
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Pennsylvania is the 2nd oldest state in USA
Pennsylvania has the 3rd lowest replacement rate in USA
Pennsylvania is sick and dying!
Democratic Philly is chasing people out of state, for a reason Philly is the Poorest big city in USA. A city supported by Hospitals, Universities and Comcast.
Thank God for small miracles. Of course, the number is still too high, but it’s a start.
Mr. Bagatta says, “There are folks that don’t want us funded. At the root of it is politics.” This may only be partially true. Real Alternatives only addresses the physical and economic needs of the family, not the spiritual. In fact, counselors are not allowed to offer to pray with a client, or offer an inspiring book or spiritual guidance. If the client asks for such guidance, they must first sign a statement saying they are requesting these things, and then they are directed to a different counselor. Yet, as Catholics, we are called to perform Corporal AND Spiritual works of Mercy. Perhaps the reason people object because they are not allowed to be the Missionary Disciples that Christ has called them to be when they utilize the Real Alternatives funding program.