Failing entry into Portuguese waters, Women on Waves’ floating abortion boat, Borndiep, turned home last Thursday, September 9. While it is a victory no abortions were performed off the port of Figuiera da Foz, it is not enough to be satisfied with merely keeping Women on Waves at bay in Portugal, or elsewhere for that matter.
Pro-lifers, especially Catholics, must not become complacent with such victories. A devilish track record proves this organization means business, and it will stop at nothing to pursue its deadly objectives.
Founded in Holland in 1999 by Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, Women on Waves has an aggressive agenda: liberalized access to abortion in places where the practice is restricted and legalized abortion on demand where it is currently illegal (i.e., pro-life, often Catholic, nations). According to the organization’s own website, its goal is to “move abortion issues away from traditional taboos and onto the public agenda.” With the use of a ship, Women on Waves lures mothers into international waters beyond the jurisdiction of their resident country and performs abortions. Dr. Gomperts and her supporters entice women to flee their homeland, break the law, and kill their innocent children. What a way to advance “human rights” and “physical and mental autonomy”!
In an effort to protect women and children and to prevent the violation of Portugal’s national sovereignty, Dr. Paulo Portas, Portugal’s Minister of Defense, deployed the Portuguese Navy, which successfully kept the floating abortion mill from entering Portugal. On September 9, 2004, it was reported Borndiep was headed home.
Instrumental in fighting Women on Waves’ propaganda crusades on shore were Maternidade e Vida, a Portuguese pro-life group, and Human Life International (HLI), the world’s largest global pro-life, pro-family educational apostolate with a network of branches and affiliates around the world. The US-based Human Life International has led the fight against Women on Waves by opposing the boat’s travels to Ireland in 2001 and Poland in 2003.
Volunteers on the ground in Portugal organized numerous educational initiatives. To illustrate the sanctity of human life and the dangers of abortion, protestors hung HLI posters of a pre-born baby in utero and the saying in Portuguese “Those who love do not kill” around the port of Figueira da Foz where Women on Waves wanted to dock.
Despite a denied court appeal and refused entry into Portuguese waters, Women on Waves continued undaunted. Hackers attacked and severely damaged Maternidade e Vida’s website. Dr. Gomperts appeared on live Portuguese TV on September 7, 2004, to instruct women on how to perform self-induced abortions by misusing the over-the-counter drug Misoprostol, which contains the same active ingredient as the RU-486 abortion pill. Global access to these do-it-yourself at-home abortions was also made available on the Women on Waves website, even though Searle, the manufacturer of the stomach medication, indicated Misoprostol should not be used to cause abortions because it can be injurious to women.
Amidst widespread sentiment against the abortion ship, Dr. Gomperts fled Portugal on September 8, 2004, after legal action was taken against her for incitement to illegal abortion. The Portuguese government opened an investigation based on complaints filed by Maternidade e Vida, the Portuguese Order of Doctors and the Portuguese Order of Pharmacists.
Dr. Gompert’s blatant contempt for the law cannot be tolerated. “Those who prey on unborn children must have their disregard for all human life exposed,” explained the Reverend Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International. “HLI will defend women and children from this attempted murder on the high sea,” Fr. Euteneuer continued. “We want to stop abortionist Rebecca Gomperts and Women on Waves once and for all.” Thursday, September 16, 2004, Maternidade e Vida will submit two petitions to the Dutch Ministry of Health on behalf of Human Life International. “Our goal is to have Dr. Gompert’s medical license revoked and Women on Waves’ authorization rescinded,” he announced.
As Human Life International takes the battle to Holland, it seeks your prayerful support. When all things are submitted to prayer, we can have a powerful impact on the spiritual battle for life and death. Not until hearts are converted to Christ will we have won the war; yet, we must work to attain victory against the culture of death in the small battles everyday. Maternidade e Vida and HLI are optimistic Dr. Gompert’s license will be revoked and Women on Waves will be out of business, permanently. Such a victory would secure hope for women and children everywhere.
This article courtesy of Human Life International.
