In Pittsburgh, another Christian pregnancy center, the Women’s Choice Network, plans to emphasize its post-abortion care, which involves emotional support and counseling. It also plans to boost advertising for its abortion pill reversal, a controversial practice in which doses of progesterone are administered in an effort to halt pill-induced abortions.
Amy Scheuring, executive director of the group of pregnancy centers, expects that Pennsylvania will eventually adopt more restrictive abortion laws and says centers like hers are brainstorming ways to support clients who might feel desperate when abortion is no longer an option. “It’s about remaining Christ-like in our responses to all sides,” she said.
Women’s Choice Network staff celebrates 7,000 documented lives saved at their centers. Photo courtesy of Women’s Choice Network
Attacks on abortion providers have been more common historically, but with the Dobbs decision, pregnancy centers are anticipating more violence in coming weeks. While demonstrators are nothing new, Scheuring described recent protests as increasingly “dark, violent and threatening.” Activists have begun tearing down signs, covering the windows with abortion rights literature and taping the front door shut so the staff is stuck inside.
“We’re very aware that there is a side that has rage and anger right now, and they’re pointing it toward these centers,” said Scheuring. “But it’s something we feel is collateral damage. Along with this great decision, there’s going to be backlash.”
CompassCare’s Buffalo-area pregnancy center was set on fire and inscribed with graffiti that read “Jane was here” on June 7. Harden believes members of Jane’s Revenge “firebombed” the center. He said it will take hundreds of thousands of dollars to rebuild.
A wall is marked with graffiti reading “Jane was here” and broken glass covers the sidewalk after a suspected firebombing at CompassCare, a crisis pregnancy center in Eggertsville, near Buffalo, New York, on June 7, 2022. (Mark Mulville/Buffalo News via AP)
“We believe God is our protector and provider, but we will keep moving forward. We’re not going to be afraid because God tells us to fear him only,” said Harden.
He called on Christians who oppose abortion to shift their attention and resources to states where abortions will continue to take place — and, he said, where pregnancy centers are likely to remain vulnerable to attack. “The war is not over,” he said. “The abortion battle lines have simply shifted.”
Brown urged Christians who oppose abortion to support their local crisis pregnancy centers through donations and volunteerism. She added that churches should be ready to welcome those grappling with unwanted pregnancies and reminded Christians to “get out and vote” in the November elections.
“In our opinion, the need for workers in the field and the need for support is just beginning,” Brown said.
This article originally appeared here.
