One Book + One Diocese

By Fr. Matthew Eickhoff

Director, Office for Evangelization

Chairman, Diocesan Evangelization Committee

Many of us have read books that we had a hard time putting down. This year’s One Book, One Diocese fall selection is that kind of book. It is "unPlanned," by Abby Johnson.

This true story of a young lady who wanted to help women in crisis situations clearly demonstrates how easy it is for good intentions to be misdirected. Abby admits that she was duped by Planned Parenthood, her employer for eight years, as she progressed from simple college volunteer to acclaimed clinic director. She initially volunteered to help to make abortions rare, but instead she found herself an active part of the abortion industry. By God’s grace, her mind and heart were stirred when a series of events, including the witnessing of an abortion, helping her to realize what the business that employed her was really all about—namely, profit.

Abby’s superiors encouraged her to strengthen the financial viability of her clinic by increasing the number of abortions performed there, an aspect of their "services" about which she felt somewhat ill at ease. Abby had a number of disturbing experiences that opened her eyes not only to what was happening in Planned Parenthood, but also to a transformation that was beginning to take shape in her mind and heart. When she found herself directly participating in an abortion at her clinic, she immediately wanted no longer to have any association with any person or business that provided them, so she resigned her position as director of the local clinic. Her life from then on would never be the same.

Some readers may remember the media stir in late 2009 when Planned Parenthood took Abby Johnson to court (just a few weeks after her resignation), claiming that she had compromised client confidentiality. The case was quickly dismissed by the judge for lack of evidence, and Abby’s former employer has not accused or contacted her since.

Her allegiance has since shifted to the Coalition for Life whose prayerful and peaceful presence outside of her clinic had been instrumental in her change of heart. Her extensive public pro-life testimony continues to help convert the hearts of many who, like her, have been misguided by deceptions and falsehoods put forth by the abortion industry.

One of the most effective modern pro-life initiatives is the 40 Days for Life campaign during which pro-lifers fast and pray for abortion providers and their potential "victims." Their 24/7 presence for 40 consecutive days and nights at facilities that offer abortion services provides a visible witness of their peaceful and prayerful intentions while also giving sidewalk counselors the intercessory support they need in order to be effective. Those who cannot be physically present are asked to offer prayerful support from their own homes.

It was during a 40 Days for Life campaign being conducted just outside the gate of her clinic that Abby began her journey to "the other side." And the rest, as they say, is history.

A Catholic edition of Abby’s book that includes an Introduction by David Bereit of 40 Days for Life and a Foreword by Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life is called the "Ignatius Press Edition" (2010). It may be purchased at local Catholic bookstores or online. The Introduction issues a warning: "Reading this book could be a life-altering experience!" Why not give it a try?