July 1, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) – The Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota, has had to close a chapel opened for the purpose of prayer to end abortion after four years.
The Visitation Chapel, located on the third floor of a Fargo office building, has been open since 2011, but the building changed hands in March, according to inforum.com, and with that came a new rental agreement.
“We were not able to continue to use the space, based on the lease terms,” Diocesan Communications Director Aliceyn Magelky stated, also telling news station KFGO that Fargo Bishop John Folda made “the tough decision to stop using the chapel.”
LifeSiteNews inquired with the diocese about the lease specifics, but was not able to connect prior to press time. A diocesan report on the chapel’s closing stated, “As is common with rental property, a change in ownership meant a change in lease terms as well.”
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Visitation Chapel overlooked the Red River Women’s Clinic, the state’s only abortion facility, and was open on Wednesdays each week, when abortions were performed at Red River. The chapel was funded by donations, and operated by volunteers in what is known as the Prayer Apostolate for Life.
Former Fargo Bishop Samuel Aquila celebrated the opening Mass on June 1, 2011.
“Every Wednesday from that day forward, Mass was offered and Eucharistic Adoration was held during the day for the intentions of the women entering the abortion facility, the people who work to promote abortion and for furthering the culture of life,” Magelky in the diocesan article.
About 30 people attended the final Mass offered May 27 by diocesan priest Father Kurt Gunwall.
Despite the chapel closing, the pro-life apostolate and the diocese have “not lost resolve and commitment to pray for and minister to women and men involved in the abortion decision.”
“A lot of people are sad, and rightly so, because the apostolate is dear to their hearts,” Diocesan Respect Life Director Rachelle Sauvageau said. “At the same time, it’s not the end but a new beginning to this journey.”
As of June 3 the prayer group began meeting Wednesday mornings at the diocesan pastoral center in Fargo.
“Hopefully, it will bring more participation by having it at the Pastoral Center,” said Sauvageau. “A fruit of the visitation chapel is that it drew together a group of people committed to prayer for life. I believe the Lord wants to keep this group together and to see it grow.”