‘Big Victory’: Felonies Tossed in Split Verdict for Priest Attempting Rescue of Unborn

LifeSite News ^ | 10/26/22 | Emily Mangiarcina

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Pro-life activist and Red Rose Rescuer Will Goodman called the dropping of one felony and the rejection of another a 'big victory.'

WEST CHESTER, Pennsylvania (LifeSiteNews) — A Pennsylvania court has handed down a split verdict for a Franciscan priest and devoted pro-life activist after he entered an abortion clinic to counsel women to choose life for their preborn children.

On Tuesday afternoon, Father Christopher “Fidelis” Moscinski was found guilty of two misdemeanor charges, but not guilty of a felony trespass and a misdemeanor resist, after he had entered a Planned Parenthood on August 27, 2021, with red roses and pro-life literature ready to hand out to women to help persuade them to choose life for their children.

The priest was prepared to engage in a “Red Rose Rescue,” a strategy inspired by Canadian pro-life hero Mary Wagner, who for years has entered abortion facilities with roses in hand, which she gives to the mothers in the waiting room, along with offers of help and alternatives to abortion.

Before he had a chance to distribute the roses and literature, police carried out Fr. Fidelis after clinic staff accused him of trespassing, as pro-life activist Laura Gies shared with LifeSiteNews on Tuesday.

Immediately following Tuesday’s verdict, pro-life activist Will Goodman – who has carried out red rose rescues alongside Fr. Fidelis – explained to LifeSiteNews correspondent Jim Hale that Fr. Fidelis had also previously been charged with a felony conspiracy, but that this charge was thrown out before the trial.

Goodman celebrated as a “big victory” the tossing of the first felony and the “not guilty” verdict for the second felony, which he collectively called “the biggest hammer” of the prosecution.