Bishop Blocks Abortion Clinics’ License

In what is believed to be the first case of its kind in the United States, a Catholic bishop has obtained a court order blocking abortion procedures by an organization that had received licenses to perform such operations.

The New York State Health Department on Friday had given permission to Planned Parenthood to start performing abortions at its two clinics in Albany, citing an unmet need in the area for out-of-hospital abortion services.

But, only hours after the approval, the Roman Catholic bishop of Albany, Howard Hubbard, obtained a court order blocking the license.

In a statement to the state Supreme Court in Albany, Hubbard accused the health department of failing to follow correct procedures in approving Planned Parenthood’s application.

“The Catholic Church in the Diocese of Albany remains unswerving in our commitment to protect the life of the defenseless unborn,” Hubbard said. “We will continue our strong opposition to the abortion-on-demand philosophy which the proposed Planned Parenthood abortion clinics represent.”

Ruth Klepper, the local Planned Parenthood executive director, described Hubbard’s position as “intolerant.”

Russell Shaw, secretary for public affairs of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, said he believed it was the first time that a Catholic diocese had resorted to court action in order to block the opening of an abortion clinic.

Judge John Pennock barred the department from issuing a final operating license to the clinics pending another hearing on Jan. 25.

Operating certificates were scheduled to be issued after minor deficiencies are corrected at the Albany clinic and after health inspectors survey the Hudson clinic, Health Department spokesman Peter Slocum said.