My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Officials of Planned Parenthood complained bitterly about the use of what they called “deceptive” undercover tactics when a sting operation revealed last year that they were involved in the sale of body parts of aborted babies. The undercover videos showed senior Planned Parenthood staff members haggling over the prices they would accept in exchange for aborted baby body parts. In one video, one Planned Parenthood executive said she needed a good price for baby body parts because she wanted to buy a very expensive luxury car!

Last January Planned Parenthood countered by filing a civil lawsuit against the Center for Medical Progress, the organization that produced and released the series of undercover videos last summer which showed Planned Parenthood officials discussing the availability of aborted baby body parts. The lawsuit complains that the undercover operation involved “fake companies” and “fake identifications.” In response, the Center for Medical Progress issued a statement saying it “uses the same undercover techniques that investigative journalists have used for decades in exercising our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and of the press, and follows all applicable laws.”

Planned Parenthood does not like to be fooled, but they apparently have no qualms about acting deceptively themselves. This past May 9, the west side of Springfield was surprised to see Planned Parenthood had moved and opened in the neighborhood on Bruns Lane near Jefferson after selling its space on Washington Street in downtown Springfield. The pro-life group called “Springfield Right to Life” said no one in the community was notified about the move. It was even news to the local city alderman, since the property was purchased and permits were obtained under a third party’s name. Planned Parenthood officials admitted that it purchased the Bruns Lane building last year under another company’s name, which was involved with the deal. They did the same thing with the building permits to do construction.

The realtor who marketed the sale of the property, Sam Nichols, Managing Broker of NAI True Commercial Real Estate Services, took the extraordinary step of buying a full-page ad in the local Springfield newspaper, saying that he represented the seller only and that the buyer on the contract was “Medical Office Development LLC, with a mailing address of 108 W. 13th Street, Wilmington, Delaware.” So he said that he was surprised when he drove past the property after the sale and noticed a new sign on the building advertising Planned Parenthood. Mr. Nichols wrote, “Reading the sign gave me a sick feeling in my heart. I then realized that I had been involved in a real estate transaction and the user of the real estate is in part, in the business of killing unborn children. Learning who the ultimate user is of this property, I will not profit or have financial gain from this sale. The commission (money) I received will now be donated to the National Right to Life organization. The scripture verses I am reminded of are Psalm 139, verses 13 thru 16. ... I am praying God will intervene to save the unborn children.” I commend Mr. Nichols on the stance he has taken and I am grateful for his prayers for God to save the unborn children.

While acting deceptively in hiding their identity in this purchase, Planned Parenthood and their supporters continue their aggressive legal attacks on David Daleiden, the founder of the Center for Medical Progress, who produced the undercover videos. In a bizarre turnabout, a grand jury in Houston, Texas, last January declined to indict Planned Parenthood for alleged criminal conduct related to its sale of baby body parts and instead indicted Mr. Daleiden!

In April, Mr. Daleiden asked a Houston court to dismiss the charges stemming from his undercover probe, arguing that prosecutors violated his rights by colluding with pro-abortion advocates and leaking information to Planned Parenthood. The attorney for Daleiden, Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society, said, “The recent filings by the Harris County District Attorney [in Houston] confirm that the DA shared confidential documents and information with abortion provider Planned Parenthood, colluding with it in the prosecution of David Daleiden. These filings also include evidence that appears to show that the DA’s office worked with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast to undermine the Texas Attorney General’s independent investigation of that abortion provider. The conduct of Harris County prosecutors in this case is outrageous and illegal.” We pray that Mr. Daleiden will be vindicated and exonerated.

Back in 2009 when Planned Parenthood of Illinois announced that elective abortions would be available in Springfield for the first time when they began to dispense abortion-inducing pills at its downtown health center, Planned Parenthood board member Lyn Schollett said, “We’re thrilled with this expansion of services.” It really is sad that someone can be “thrilled” when the lives of human beings are being snuffed out. We who believe in the sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception until natural death must redouble our efforts and our prayers that we may soon see the day when abortion providers like Planned Parenthood will shut their doors and close down their deadly operations forever.

May God give us this grace. Amen.