Posted on 08/19/2022 10:31:25 AM PDT by Morgana
EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (CNS) — Police are investigating vandalism at a western Massachusetts pregnancy center that provides women facing a crisis pregnancy with free diapers, wipes, baby clothes, strollers and car seats.
Police said vandals early Aug. 18 spray-painted “Jane’s Revenge” on benches located outside of Bethlehem House in Easthampton, near Springfield, along with the message, “If abortion isn’t safe, neither are you.”
Jane’s Revenge is a an organization that supports keeping abortion legal. It has claimed responsibility for similar actions at churches and pro-life pregnancy centers across the country since 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. The ruling allows states to decide their own laws regarding abortion.
“I’m nervous because the clients are coming here today. We have to give diapers out in the parking lot,” said Pam Hibbard, Bethlehem House director.
Bethlehem House, which receives support from the annual Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Springfield, also offers free pregnancy resources, including referrals for employment, health care and educational services. Families receive assistance until the baby is 18 months old. In addition, Bethlehem House offers post-abortion counseling.
“We are not doing this for the money. We do it from the heart,” Hibbard told iObserve, the online news outlet of the Springfield Diocese.
In July, vandals also targeted two pregnancy care centers in Worcester, Massachusetts: Clearway Clinic and Problem Pregnancy. Clearway’s windows were smashed and the words “Jane’s Revenge” were spray-painted in black on the sidewalk outside of the building.
The vandalism saddened Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne.
“The messages spray-painted on the outside of the building appear to have one purpose and that is to intimidate the good people who depend on the assistance provided there, along with those who volunteer at Bethlehem House, whose sole purpose is to help women and their families facing a crisis pregnancy,” Bishop Byrne said in a statement.
“No matter where you stand on the issue of abortion, I pray all people of goodwill will join me in condemning this act and all acts of vandalism and violence against any group,” he said. “We are a people of life called to lead with love. That’s what we will continue to do. Please join me in praying for all affected by this incident.”
Father Daniel Pacholec, director of pro-life activities for the Springfield Diocese, echoed the bishop, saying “it should be greatly disturbing to all people of goodwill that an organization that assists women and families is the target of such violence against women.”
“Jane’s Revenge and any organization associated with it should be held criminally liable,” he said.
Bethlehem House has been in the spotlight recently, as the Easthampton City Council has been considering a proposed ordinance titled “Deceptive Advertising Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers.”
A pregnancy center would be in violation and subject to a $300 fine if it advertised in such a way deemed “deceptive, whether by statement or omission, and that a limited services pregnancy center knows or reasonably should know to be deceptive.”
People have spoken at recent council meetings in favor of and against the ordinance. Bethlehem House is the only pregnancy care center that operates in Easthampton, which prompted many in the pro-life community to be concerned about the intent of the ordinance and if, in fact, it would ultimately impact the center’s work.
Owen Zaret, councilor at-large, who co-sponsored the ordinance, has said Bethlehem House would not be affected by the ordinance and called their work “laudable.”
Zaret decried the vandalism Aug. 18, saying it “has no place in our community or country.
“This is an act of extremism and terrorism. We settle disagreements through conversation, not through violence,” Zaret said.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision nationwide there have been calls to crack down legislatively on pregnancy care centers that some believe deceive women. In July, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey issued a statement claiming pregnancy centers use “deceptive and coercive tactics.”
A warning about pregnancy care centers is listed on Healey’s mass.gov website. There is no mention of the vandalism that took place in Worcester or in Easthampton.
Easthampton is somewhat of a radical enclave. Although this kind of surprises me in MA. It’s not like the places go out with a net and grab folks off the streets. As you can imagine the pro life groups in MA are pretty low key.
A significant number of people who oppose abortions believe in “love thy neighbor” ,”turn the other cheek”, pray for your enemy and forgive 70 times 7.
Part of the foundation of the Judeo-Christian America of 1776.
Here is a lesson for all of us.
Tibetan Buddhists were nonviolent.
From Freetibet website (many other places and even the Joseph Campbell PBS series video scenes back this up)
“ The peaceful Buddhist country of Tibet was invaded by Communists China in 1949. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed, and thousands of Tibetans have been imprisoned.”
Annexation of Tibet by China as described by liberal author Joseph Campbel: The invading Chinese soldiers raped and tortured thousands of women and young girls, killed thousands of unarmed men and looted and burned homes and buildings. Women were forced to have Chinese children in order to weaken and dilute the remaining race of Tibetans.
"Turning the other cheek" only applies to personal affronts committed toward us. Forgiving your neighbor if he has sinned against you doesn't preclude Christians cooperating with law enforcement to make sure that those that did so are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. As American citizens it is our right and responsibility to agitate for more effective laws and demand that they be enforced.
Except for some fringe groups, Christians are not pacifists, nor do we take the law into our own hands or form vigilante groups to search out and destroy our enemy. If a man is robbing our castle or our person, we are entitled, even obligated, to defend ourselves.
Thanks for the well written post.
I continue to struggle with an actually sinful questioning of what I said. I must leave this in God’s hands and do what I can within the limits established.
I pray that when the coming onslaught of Leftist violence and murder takes over that I will be able to withstand the temptation to set aside the waiting for law enforcement to act. And to act honestly and equally fairly to all.
Well said. Amen.
We had our pregnancy crisis center vandalized in Worcester a month ago. Church members have been taking turns keeping watch in the parking lot since the attack. :(
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