Notre Dame Right to Life is deeply disappointed in the Indiana Supreme Court for allowing the injunction against the Indiana abortion ban to remain in effect, and further, we deplore the reopening of Whole Woman’s Health (WWH) of South Bend, as it does not adequately inform women, operates without a license, and slaughters innocent babies. NDRtL will maintain its support and care for women and children by continuing to direct women to comprehensive reproductive health resources and support systems and providing prayers and education at WWH of South Bend.
The WWH website does not properly inform women of the risks and side-effects associated with drug-induced abortion. Rather, it assures them that “most people are back to normal the next day.” Additionally, it faultily claims “over one-third have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old”, a statistic disproved by the Guttmacher Institute. These erroneous statements mislead women.
Indiana Administrative Code Section 410 details the possible reasons to deny an abortion clinic licensure. After WWH of South Bend “failed to disclose, concealed, or omitted information” to the Indiana State Department of Health in 2017, it was denied licensure because the licensees lacked “reputable and responsible character”; however, the clinic was granted an injunction in 2018 that allowed it to continue offering its deleterious services. Since it is unlicensed, it does not undergo routine inspections, further endangering women.
NDRtL is committed to protecting women. Our newly launched website offers pregnancy resources, all of which are available for Notre Dame students, and most are available for the greater South Bend community. We will continue to assist Right to Life Michiana by praying outside of the WWH of South Bend clinic and training more sidewalk advocates, who will gently educate and encourage abortion-vulnerable women.
NDRtL is disappointed at the reopening of WWH of South Bend, but it is not discouraged—we can, and will, achieve a culture of life on campus and in our nation.
Merlot Fogarty
NDRtL President
Madeline Murphy
NDRtL Director of Spirituality