NEW ORLEANS, LA, February 5, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Archdiocese of New Orleans plans to do more than simply oppose the construction of a new $4.2 million Planned Parenthood abortion facility in the Big Easy. The archdiocese has announced it will boycott all businesses that in any way participate in or facilitate its erection.
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond made the announcement in a letter to his diocese January 27.
In the archdiocesan newspaper The Clarion Herald, the archbishop wrote, “Every person and organization involved in the acquisition, preparation and construction of this or any abortion facility… are cooperating with the evil that will take place there.“
He explained that the archdiocese and affiliated organizations, including schools, nursing homes, and churches, “will strive in [their] privately funded work not to enter into business relationships with any person or organization that participates in actions that are essential to making this abortion facility a reality.”
“This policy applies to all businesses, regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation,” he wrote. “Our fidelity to Church teaching and our conscience necessitates this stance.”
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Archbishop Aymond underscored his warning against participation in the construction of the abortion giant’s facility. “There is no justification, including economic hardship that will make a direct or indirect relationship with Planned Parenthood, or any abortion provider, acceptable,” he said. “Additionally, affiliation or support of Planned Parenthood by Catholics is a matter of serious scandal.”
The archbishop explained that scandal is considered by the Church to be “a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.”
Once constructed, the new Planned Parenthood of the Gulf Coast facility will be the first of Louisiana’s Planned Parenthood facilities to perform abortions.
No construction progress has been made since its groundbreaking ceremony last May.
That same month, the Louisiana House and Senate passed resolutions to investigate Planned Parenthood’s practices and finances with respect to state law.
Last July, Planned Parenthood of the Gulf Coast, which also operates in Texas, was charged with fraudulently overbilling the government $30 million in Medicaid reimbursements. The abortion giant settled with state and federal officials for $4.3 million.