The event is co-sponsored by the Office for Social Concerns of the Springfield diocese, Springfield Right to Life, and the Gospel of Life Committee of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield.
King will be in Springfield for a series of pro-life events “celebrating life and protesting the introduction of the abortion drug RU486 into our community,” according to organizers.
On Friday, Sept. 24, King will join Bishop Thomas John Paprocki at an ecumenical prayer service at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sixth and Lawrence streets. The prayer service will be followed by a “prayerful and peaceful walk” to the Springfield offices of Planned Parenthood at 1000 E. Washington Street.
In March, the Planned Parenthood office in Springfield began offering medication abortions. Medication abortions involve pills containing the drug mifepristone (formerly called RU-486), which the pregnant woman takes at the Planned Parenthood office. She is then given medication called misoprostol, which she takes at home. Within 24 to 48 hours, the baby is aborted.
Sister Jane Boos, SSND, director of the Diocesan Office of Social Concerns, said that Springfield area Catholic schools have been invited to send student representatives to the prayer service and peace protest.
“As of Labor Day weekend, I have students from St. Patrick School, Cathedral, Sacred Heart-Griffin and Blessed Sacrament who have already responded to our call,” Sister Jane said. “I am waiting to hear from the other Springfield schools. It seems the schools are responding and interested in being part of this pro-life event.”
On the evening of Sept. 24, King will be the keynote speaker for Springfield Right to Life’s annual benefit dinner at the Northfield Center, 3280 Northfield Drive in Springfield. Tickets for the dinner, which will begin with hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m., are $50 for adults and $25 for students. Reservations may be made by check to Springfield Right to Life, 316 E. Monroe St., Springfield IL 62701. Or, visit www.srtl.org.
King is the daughter of the late civil rights activist Rev. A.D. King and his wife Naomi Barber King. She is a former college professor, served in the Georgia State House of Representatives and sits on the board of Georgia Right to Life. She currently serves as a pastoral associate and director of African-American outreach for Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries.