Chicago, Ill., Dec 17, 2009 / 13:09 pm
This Saturday, the Pro-Life Action League will hold its seventh annual “Empty Manger” Christmas Caroling Day, visiting four abortion clinics in Chicago and four in DuPage county.
At each facility, the carolers gather and sing around an empty manger, which symbolizes both the hope and anticipation of new life as well as the emptiness left behind when an abortion occurs. The league has had success in the past when mothers entering the clinic heard the singing and changed their minds about aborting their baby.
“One mother told our counselor that hearing 'Silent Night' made her think about how Mary said yes to God – and then she couldn't go through with the abortion,” said Eric Scheidler, communications director for the Pro-Life Action League.
One clinic, the All Women's Health Center in Chicago, has yet to be visited by any pro-life organizations. Schiedler expressed his hope that the caroling on Saturday will touch mothers entering the facility with the pro-life message.
Though the message is one of peace, the league has been met with opposition at past caroling events.
Joe Scheidler, President of the Pro Life League, told CNA on Wednesday that pro-abortion individuals have been known in recent years to stand within the caroling group, disrupt the singing and shout obscenities in an effort to drown them out. Scheidler told CNA that police have been contacted this year to protect the pro-life singers and maintain a separation.
“The Christmas story is a story of hope and joy brought into the world by a newborn baby,” said Eric Scheidler noted. “We want abortion bound mothers in Chicago and the western suburbs to know that their unborn babies are a gift, too.”
“We encourage more pro-lifers to join this national event,” urged Scheidler. “Simply print out our booklet and gather a few friends for carols at the abortion facilities in your area.”
To find out more about the Pro Life League's caroling, visit, http://prolifeaction.org/index.php#carols