Thirty years ago this week, the Chicago Sun-Times began running its eye-opening “Abortion Profiteers” series, which exposed notoriously despicable conditions at Chicago area abortion clinics.
Exposing the Seedy Abortion Industry
In the paper’s own words (February 13, 2008):
What Sun-Times investigative reporters Pam Zekman and Pamela Warrick – working with the Better Government Association – found in their series “The Abortion Profiteers” was, in some cases, downright terrifying.
The Sun-Times/BGA team had people work undercover in six Michigan Avenue clinics. The team uncovered incompetent and unqualified doctors who performed abortions without giving their patients anesthetics. Sometimes, it made no difference if a woman was actually pregnant – she’d still be sold an abortion.
In one truly horrifying case, a couple was sent to a disreputable Detroit abortionist whose dog accompanied the nurse into the operating room – then lapped up blood from the floor.
The series prompted immediate action. Within two weeks, two abortion clinics were closed down, a doctor’s license was revoked, a criminal investigation was launched and a governor’s task force was appointed to re-evaluate the state’s regulation and licensing of abortion clinics and counselors.
One abortion doctor highlighted in the Sun-Times’ series renounced his work and became a member of the Moody Church on North La Salle. The doctor, Arnold Bickham, once described himself to Zekman as “the most notorious physician in this city.” He indicated he made $1 million a year performing abortions. His medical license was temporarily suspended because, according to the state, he had operated on women who weren’t pregnant and rushed abortions so much that he didn’t even wait until the anesthesia set in.
Bickham eventually quit the church and returned to performing abortions. His medical license was revoked in 1988. He later became an administrator at Chicago Public Schools.
30 Years Later, What Has Changed?
Three decades later, abortion is still a seedy industry, as evidenced by the Los Angeles Times exposé highlighted in the previous Action News Hotline made, to give but one example. All the more reason why we must continue our work to close down every abortion facility, everywhere.
Terri’s Day Set for March 31
Catholic News Agency reports:
The Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation and Priests for Life have established March 31 as “Terri’s Day” to mark the death of the severely-disabled Terri Schiavo from dehydration after her feeding tube was removed by court order.
The full title of the commemoration is “International Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Terri Schindler Schiavo, and All of Our Vulnerable Brothers and Sisters.” The organizers hope that “Terri’s Day” will foster education, prayer, and activism regarding discrimination against the disabled. They hope the day will also encourage advocacy for those in situations similar to that of Terri Schiavo and her family.
National Director of] Priests for Life Father Frank Pavone said, “Those of us who were with Terri will never forget her life and her death. For the sake of all the vulnerable, it is critically important that those who never knew Terri likewise remember the lessons that God taught us through her.”
Suzanne Vitadamo, Terri’s sister, said “No family should ever have to witness what my family witnessed, watching a loved one slowly dehydrate to death. We want Terri’s day to remind us all that persons with disabilities are never burdens and should be treated with nothing but our unconditional love and compassion.”
More information on Terri’s Day is available at the Priests for Life website.
Father Pavone Lenten Retreat Broadcast Live Online
Speaking of Priests for Life, Father Pavone will be preaching a Lenten retreat on Saturday, February 16, that will be broadcast live over the Internet. If you’d like to listen, go to lentenretreat.com.
Sports Faith Hall of Fame Induction
And, last but not least, consider attending the first ever Sports Faith Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, February 23.
Chicago Bears Board Member Pat McCaskey and Sports Faith International will host the Induction Ceremony from 12 Noon to 1:30 P.M. at Halas Hall, 1000 Football Drive in Lake Forest, and be followed by a luncheon reception at the Deerpath Inn, 255 East Illinois Road in Lake Forest from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M.
His Eminence Francis Cardinal George will be serving on the Board of Advisors in an Honorary Capacity, and joins other notables including pitching great Jeff Suppan of the Milwaukee Brewers, MVP of the 2006 National League Championship Series, and Jack McKeon, retired manager of the 2003 World Series Florida Marlins and two-time winner of the National League Manager of the Year.
Individual tickets for the Induction Ceremony and Hall of Fame Luncheon and Benefit are $100 per person. VIP seating for the Induction Ceremony is $250 per person and is limited to the first 150 respondents. For more information on the event or to reserve tickets, visit https://sportsfaithinternational.com/ or call (847) 739-5361.
