Louisville archbishop leads 300 people in prayer at abortion clinic

Published: 2007-11-19

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (CNS) -- Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville held rosary beads and knelt on the sidewalk in front of the E.M.W. Women's Surgical Center in Louisville Nov. 10 to pray with about 300 pro-life supporters from Kentucky and southern Indiana in the hope of changing women's minds and saving the lives of unborn babies. Following the rosary at the abortion clinic, Archbishop Kurtz said he had delayed his flight to Baltimore for the U.S. bishops' fall general meeting until Nov. 11 so he could pray outside the abortion clinic for the first time as head of the Louisville Archdiocese. "I came obviously in prayer and in a manner that embraces both truth and compassion," Archbishop Kurtz said in an interview. "I was honored to be able to join with others who have a deep respect for human life and who expressed it in prayer and in great civility." Archbishop Kurtz is a member of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities. He was installed as archbishop of Louisville Aug. 15. Before that he had been the bishop of Knoxville, Tenn., since Dec. 8, 1999.

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