There’s been a lot said about Lila Rose who has been doing “sting” operations to expose Planned Parenthood’s illegal, hideous activities (other than the ones we already knew about). I’ve really been concerned as more and more students seem enamored by her tactics.
While I appreciate her passionate defense of the most defenseless, as Catholics we need to be very cautious about using evil means (in this case, Lying) to conquer an even greater evil (Abortion)
Could not put this better:
From: http://newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com/2011/02/lying-to-planned-parenthood-or-is-it.html
After thirty-eight years of terrible struggle, there is a danger of despair. Individuals in the pro-life movement may be tempted to lose hope, to think that (without radical actions) abortion will never end. This seems to be at the root of the “sting” operations – no longer content to use the normal and morally acceptable means which God has provided, certain pro-life workers are taking things into their own hands and even attempting to justify objectively sinful actions for the sake of some greater good.
But we must remember that the victory of the Culture of Life is not essentially something within human powers. Death has reigned on earth since the Fall, and it is only conquered through the God-Man, Jesus Christ. He alone will win the victory for Life, he alone will overcome death in the world. It is Christ who will defeat Planned Parenthood, we can only participate in his work. But, Christ is the Truth – and, if we act against the Truth, we act against Christ. If we live not in the Truth, we are no longer pro-life workers, but have already begun to participate in the culture of death.
What’s even sadder to me is that this has brought division to pro-lifers (those supporting Lila and those who don’t). Isn’t such division among such a united group just one more sign of the presence of evil?
Fr. Jim,
This is a hard one to swallow. Sometimes aggressive tactics are needed to win this battle in the culture of death. Of course I am not implying that the end justifies the means, but we need to do more help eradicate this evil from our society. We are in a war, sometimes guerrilla tactics are needed to be used to defeat the enemy, provided of course that they are legal.
What's wrong with exposing the evils of Planned Parenthood? I believe that these stings are providing good fruit. Take for example the fact that now Planned Parenthood is being exposed more in the public then before. More people are becoming shocked and awakened by the barbarous reality of Planned Parenthood. Another fruit of this is that it puts Planned Parenthood on the defensive, constantly needing to defend and justify itself in front of the American public.
During these economic tough times, more people are sensitive to government wasting money and by exposing Planned Parenthood through these stings more people will be compelled to demand from their elected officials to defund Planned Parenthood. I am confused by your post, help me understand. What do you want us to do just to pray, attend the March on life, and vote for Pro life candidates? We need to do more.
If we are to eliminate an entire institution, such as Planned Parenthood, as you suggest, due to sin and evil within it, then we must also eliminate the Catholic Church due to the sin within her. We should eliminate the Republican party due to the death of innocent children in Iraq. Do we eliminate the U.S.A. because many states have the death penalty, many who are killed are innocent.
Sin exists within all individuals and institution. There is evil in our church that lurks in rectories and sanctuaries as priest perform anal and oral sex on innocent boys: do we shut down the entire franchise?
This is all directly related to the issue of Planned Parenthood & abortion. The great majority of Planned Parenthood has to do with other health issues.
Allowing sin whether it is an element of an abortion platform(P Parenthood) or political/legal maneuvering such as pedophile priest being moved to other parishes & shielded from the law(Catholic Church) – both are evil and sinful.
As practical and moral Catholic Christians and theologians we can't throw everyone under the bus due to the sin of others. Imagine if God through all of humanity under the bus due to earthly sin?