By: By Jennifer Willems

As the largest abortion provider in the country, Planned Parenthood certainly seems like a powerful Goliath, but “David” has everything necessary to win the fight, according to Eric Scheidler of Aurora, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League.

“I’ll tell you who ‘David’ is. It’s you — every one of you,” Scheidler told those who filled Sacred Heart Church in Peoria for the Sanctity of Human Life Rally on Jan. 20. Sponsored by Central Illinois Right to Life, the rally followed an open house at the Family Resources Center and the annual Walk for Life from the Peoria County Courthouse through the streets of downtown Peoria.

While a recent report from the Guttmacher Institute noted that abortion rates in the United States had increased for the first time since 1990, Scheidler told his listeners that this was not true in the Midwest.

“That’s because of pro-life activists like you,” he said.

“Planned Parenthood doesn’t have a grassroots movement. There is nothing like this on the other side,” Scheidler said. “No one is willing to come out on a freezing cold night to celebrate abortion.”

EVERY PRAYER HELPS
He was asked to speak about Planned Parenthood at this year’s rally and Scheidler didn’t disappoint. In addition to giving an historical perspective, he provided statistics:

— Planned Parenthood has more than 800 health centers around the country and 200 of them offer abortion services. In Illinois, there are 17 centers and six of them do abortions.

— One out of every four abortions in the United States — about 324,000 a year — takes place at a Planned Parenthood facility.

— Planned Parenthood receives about $350 million in funding from the government, so almost one-third of their $1.2 billion budget comes from the taxpayers, Scheidler said. In Illinois, the organization’s budget is $26 million.

What motivates Planned Parenthood? Scheidler suggested that some involved in the organization are in denial, trying to mask their guilt by telling themselves they aren’t doing anything wrong. Money is a driving force for others, he said.

“It may be hard for us to hear, but some are motivated by a sincere desire to help,” Scheidler explained. “That’s important for us to know.”

He questioned how Planned Parenthood could maintain that its goal is to keep abortion “safe and legal” when it doesn’t denounce abuses, such as the Philadelphia doctor who performed illegal late-term abortions for 30 years. Kermit B. Gosnell was charged in the death of a female patient and accused of murdering seven babies born alive.

“We speak out when someone, in the name of pro-life, does something wicked,” Scheidler said. “Where’s Planned Parenthood?”

Despite the fact that it seems so powerful and has so many friends in Congress — and the White House — Planned Parenthood is vulnerable, he said, noting that every prayer on a sidewalk outside one of its centers hurts the organization.

He added that Planned Parenthood also lacks the spirit that advocates for life have — the Holy Spirit.

“We should take great courage that God is on our side,” Scheidler said.