PRESS RELEASE: 2:3:12: UPDATED: HLI Statement on the Komen/Planned Parenthood Controversy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2012

CONTACT: Stephen Phelan 540-622-5270 – SPhelan@hli.org – www.hli.org

(Fr. Boquet's previous statement on the Komen/Planned Parenthood situation may be viewed here.)

HLI Statement on the Komen/Planned Parenthood Controversy

FRONT ROYAL, Virginia – HLI President Fr. Shenan J. Boquet released the following statement today regarding reports about the funding of Planned Parenthood by the Susan G. Komen Foundation:

“The evolving situation regarding the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Planned Parenthood is still very murky. The media have been actively spinning this story since it began, and many ambiguous statements have been released. We hope our supporters will calmly discern the facts of the situation before reacting.

“At this moment it is unclear whether today’s statement issued by Susan G. Komen indicates that they will continue long-term funding of Planned Parenthood, or whether it indicates that they are trying to calm the waters so that they can move forward and make funding decisions in a less turbulent sea.

“It is important to note, as many have, that both the original and the updated statement by Komen indicated that they will honor their five existing grants to Planned Parenthood. This is not “news,” as these grants were never going to be cancelled. While we do not condone these grants, it does not change the story for pro-lifers. It is also true that Planned Parenthood may continue to apply for grants from Komen, regardless of the new policy. It is unclear, however, whether Planned Parenthood will qualify and ultimately receive grants under the new guidelines initiated by Susan G. Komen.

“We encourage pro-lifers to refrain for the time being from giving financial support to Susan G. Komen. At the same time we ask that you not attack, as some have already begun to do, Susan G. Komen in the midst of this process. Such an attack is likely to push Komen back to funding Planned Parenthood.

“We want to encourage our supporters to continue positive encouragement of Susan G. Komen to take a stand for women’s health by not supporting Planned Parenthood with future grants. Write letters and send emails. Ask them to take a truly life-affirming and pro-woman stand by no longer funding the nation’s largest provider of abortions. Our immediate goal is to encourage them to defund Planned Parenthood.

“We should pray for Nancy Brinker and her colleagues at the Susan G. Komen Foundation that they have the strength to stop funding Planned Parenthood.

“Planned Parenthood tried this week to utterly destroy the Susan G. Komen Foundation and they were well on their way to doing just that. They made it abundantly clear they care more for abortion than in protecting women’s lives. We should direct our ire toward Planned Parenthood and expose them as corrupt and dangerous.

“HLI will continue to work with our fellow pro-life organizations to monitor this evolving situation, and to positively encourage the Susan G. Komen Foundation to stand by its decision to not fund groups that do harm to women.”

About HLI: Human Life International: For the Glory of God and defense of Life, Faith and Family. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world’s largest international pro-life and pro-family organization, with affiliates and associates in over 100 countries on six continents. www.hli.org.

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