Archdiocese Bars Abortion Protests at Church Sites

The Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese Friday rejected announced plans by Operation Rescue leaders to hold anti-abortion rallies and services next week in church facilities because of fears that the events would violate a court order.

The gatherings were timed to coincide with the appearance in Los Angeles Municipal Court on Monday of Randall Terry, head of the national protest movement, and four others on charges of conspiracy and trespassing in connection with blocking entrances to a Los Angeles clinic March 25.

More than 1,000 people, including a number of Catholics, were arrested during the pre-Easter sit-ins at clinics that perform abortions.

Goals Supported

While declaring that the archdiocese supports Operation Rescue’s goals, a Catholic spokesman said the church believed that an order issued last March by U.S. District Judge A. Wallace Tashima would prohibit the use of two churches and a Catholic high school by the anti-abortion group.

“Use of any archdiocesan facility for planning purposes or rallies, since it is an illegal activity, could lead to cancellation of millions of dollars in insurance coverage for all 282 parishes of the Los Angeles Archdiocese,” said church Public Affairs Director Bill Rivera, citing the advice of insurance underwriters to the archdiocese.

Operation Rescue leaders had already circulated literature listing St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Hacienda Heights as the location of a “kick-off rally” Monday night and the Immaculate Heart Conception Church, across the street from the archdiocesan headquarters, as the site for a “prayer and repentance service” Wednesday night.

No location was mentioned for a rally Friday night, but Operation Rescue organizers were attempting to obtain permission to use a Catholic high school.

Operation Rescue staged two rallies in the Diocese of Orange, both at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Orange, before issuance of the court order, but has not asked to use a church facility in recent months, according to diocese spokesman Father Lawrence Baird.

“There has been no request for any church facility that we have denied,” Baird said Friday. However, he said diocese officials would have to consult with attorneys before approving future rallies.

Archbishop Roger M. Mahony, who said last March that he respected the goals of Operation Rescue and offered prayerful support, is scheduled to join Terry and other anti-abortion leaders in the Friday rally, according to Operation Rescue literature.

Leaders Disappointed

Spokesman Rod Gregory said Operation Rescue leaders were “disappointed” at the Catholic refusal, noting that the Monday night rally is “a discussion to kick off the whole week” and the Wednesday service was focused on “women who have had abortions and have suffered emotionally and physically.” The service and rallies will be held elsewhere, he said.

“I don’t understand all the practical implications of why they felt it necessary to pull away . . . but insurance companies are famous for wanting to avoid paying claims,” Gregory said. “I’m sympathetic to (the church’s) need to protect themselves, but somebody has to be responsible to the unborn also,” he said, referring to the campaign to deter abortions.

In a letter to Operation Rescue explaining the decision, Brother Hilarion O’Connor, a secondary school supervisor, wrote: “Because the position of the archdiocese is pro-life in all matters, I genuinely regret that I am unable to give you an affirmative response.”

O’Connor also praised Operation Rescue volunteers who “translate words of belief into acts of commitment.”

Operation Rescue since last year has conducted scores of similar demonstrations and rallies throughout the country.

Staff writer Jean Davidson in Orange County contributed to this report.