Shortly after he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, his Excellency David Ricken made it clear that life issues would be at the top of his agenda.
As one of his first public gestures, Bishop Ricken said a special pro-life Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. His homily reiterated his commitment to the cause of life and received a spontaneous standing ovation from the standing-room-only congregation.
Not long after that Mass, Bishop Ricken appointed Christina Pallini as his Director of Respect Life Ministry. The diocesan web site states: “The Respect Life Office is responsible for strengthening respect life efforts in the diocese and for partnering with parishes, schools and catechetical programs by providing resources and consultation to promote life.”
Bishop David Ricken has outlined a three-facet respect life initiative for the diocese: “Pray and fast; learn to love people by freeing them from their ignorance; defend life with no fear, hesitation or compromise.”
Encouraged by the bishop’s words and actions, Mary Jane Clements, Operations Director of Mother & Unborn Baby Care and WomanKind Medical Clinic—American Life League Associates in Appleton, Wisconsin—extended an invitation to Bishop Ricken to visit their offices. The date was set for January 18 and would precede a special Mass to observe the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, one of two special Masses to be said by Bishop Ricken.
Bishop Ricken’s tour included a visit to the “work room,” where all the donations arrive and are cleaned, repaired and made ready for distribution to clients. After blessing the work area and visiting with the staff, Bishop Ricken entered WomanKind Medical Clinic. He blessed every room, enthusiastically viewed a live ultrasound of a 9-week-old preborn baby demonstrated by RN Heidi Weiland and then conducted a prayer service in the reception area.
WomanKind and Mother & Unborn Baby Care are located directly across the street from Planned Parenthood, and the bishop’s prayer included a special petition that young women be directed by angels to WomanKind and NOT Planned Parenthood—the enemy of the preborn. Bishop Ricken also asked that St. Joseph guard the premises and “make sure that each person who comes through the door feels the peace and safety which Mary felt while under Joseph’s care.”
For more information on American Life League’s Associate program, click here.