To put it mildly when the Marie Stopes centre opened in Northern Ireland in 2012, the launch of one of the most powerful pro-abortion organizations in a very pro-life country set off sparks and controversy.
But in a peaceful, life-affirming way, The Stanton Healthcare Belfast opened Monday on Great Victoria Street –the same street on which that the Marie Stopes abortion clinic operates.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) flew over to support the opening. Referring to Bernadette Smyth, Smith said, “We have a number of clinics in the states and the value of what Bernadette can offer, you can’t put a price tag on it.” Smith, co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus, added, “It’s a refuge, women can find tangible help and very loving individuals to help with their difficulty,” the Irish Times reported.
Mrs. Smyth, whose Precious Life group has worked closely with Stanton Healthcare to bring the clinic to Belfast, said
“It is an historic day for the pro-life movement in Northern Ireland.
“Since the opening of Marie Stopes in Belfast, women in Northern Ireland have been exploited and used by greedy abortion providers who care more about making profit than they do about supporting vulnerable women.
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“Stanton Healthcare will offer a much needed alternative at no cost because we believe that women and their unborn children deserve better than abortion.”
Ms. Smyth continued, “At Stanton, we will provide the best care and practical support for mums to help overcome obstacles in choosing life for her baby.” The new center, she added, “will be offering women facing unexpected pregnancies life-affirming options and quality healthcare. … Our long term vision is to replace the Marie Stopes centre in Belfast with a life affirming centre that offers real choices and real alternatives.”
LifeNews.com Note: Dave Andrusko is the editor of National Right to Life News and an author and editor of several books on abortion topics. This post originally appeared in at National Right to Life News Today —- an online column on pro-life issues.
