Barb Umberger
ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Angela Franey, executive director of Abria Pregnancy Resources, said recent vandalism at the organization’s St. Paul location and dozens of similar attacks on pregnancy centers around the country reflect recent anger and misunderstanding around the issue of abortion.
She believes that the damage stems also from a misinterpretation about the mission of Abria or similar centers.
Abria’s staff love and help women, she said, and provide a variety of information so they know they have options.
“We never tell them what to do,” she said, but instead, offer them information to help make a fully informed decision. “And we respect their ability to do that,” she told The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers, like Abria, as well as churches have taken place across the country since early May, when a draft opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case was leaked.
The court’s June 24 decision in the Dobbs case ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade, which had legalized abortion nationwide. This new ruling allows states the freedom to make their own abortion laws.
To date, there have been about 40 such attacks on centers and churches, and Jane’s Revenge has claimed responsibility for many of them. Described as “a militant, extremist, pro-abortion rights group,” it was formed shortly after the leak of the draft opinion.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision, there also have been calls nationwide to crack down legislatively on pregnancy care centers that some believe deceive women.
Abria was attacked by vandals on Aug. 1. It was the first attack on the center. Franey found a small, softball-sized object in the hall when she entered the center’s back door at 7:30 am. It appeared that it had been thrown through both the front and back doors.
Looking at the front of the building, she saw in red spray paint the words: “If abortions aren’t safe, neither are you.”
Franey stated that no one claimed to be responsible for the actions. They were reported by police and are being investigated.
Abria was still closed on August 1 while staff cleaned it up. However, the center reopened as normal on August 2.
“It’s safe now and no one was hurt,” Franey said. “Our goal is to make things safe and secure again, to pick up the pieces, to meet the challenge face to face and continue to overcome these things with good, because that’s what we do.”
Abria also has a Minneapolis location. It offers laboratory-quality testing, ultrasounds by qualified medical personnel, and medical consultation.
These services are not medical and include parenting education, pregnancy and parenting education, personal support, life coaching, and referrals to community resources. All services are free.
Franey explained that Abria supports women’s choices for life by providing them with baby supplies, education, referrals to community resources, and other support. If people knew Abria’s mission, Franey does not believe individuals would turn as much to violence.
Abria receives funding from the Catholic Services Appeal Foundation of the Archdiocese Saint Paul and Minneapolis, but none from the government. Franey explained that about 90% of its funding comes directly from donors.
Recent vandals also attacked a Massachusetts pregnancy center that offers free diapers and wipes to women who are in crisis.
Early Aug. 18, vandals spray-painted “Jane’s Revenge” on benches located outside of Bethlehem House in Easthampton, near Springfield, along with the same message left at the St. Paul center: “If abortion isn’t safe, neither are you.”
Bethlehem House receives support from the Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Springfield. It also offers free resources for pregnant women, such as referrals to employment and health care. Family members receive support until their baby turns 18 months. Bethlehem House also offers post-abortion counseling.
