Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
A trio of pro-life activists, including a Catholic priest, received three-month prison sentences for speaking and giving roses to women in the waiting room of an abortion clinic and refusing to leave when police demanded they do so.
As first reported by LiveAction.org, a pro-life advocacy website, the men represented Red Rose Rescue, a Christian pro-life organization, and had been found guilty in March of trespassing at an abortion clinic in White Plains, New York.
On Facebook, Red Rose Rescue confirmed that Father Christopher “Fidelis” Moscinski, Matthew Connolly, and William Goodman were each sentenced to 90 days in jail and fined $500.
Mimi Rocah, the Westchester County District Attorney, said in a statement to the New York Post that 90 days was the maximum sentence.
“Abortion is legal in the state of New York and interfering with a patient’s right to access medical and reproductive care is a crime,” Rocah said. “I will use the full force of my office to protect patients and reproductive rights here in Westchester County.”
According to the prosecution, whose side was highlighted in greater detail by the Post, the trio rendered the abortion clinic unusable, refused to leave when asked, and had to be carried out.
News 12 Westchester, a 24-hour local news channel, reported that the men have indicated they will not pay the fine, which could then lead to an additional month behind bars.
The men left little doubt as to their belief that they were acting in God’s will when they sought to offer abortion patients alternatives to terminating the pregnancy.
According to the Red Rose Rescue Facebook post, Moscinski offered a stern, biblical warning to Judge John Collins and the jury.
Isaiah said woe to those who call good evil and evil good. Woe to those who call abortion a right. [Collins] disallowed the justification defense and that injustice was compounded by the jury and also by the sentencing you have given, I plead the blood of Jesus on this courtroom.
Red Rose Rescue said the brief statement earned Moscinski ridicule and dismissiveness from Collins, who the organization said replied, “You quoted Judgment Day in your case and today is your judgment day.”
Connolly refused to speak at the hearing in what Red Rose Rescue said was a symbolic move meant to show “solidarity with the unborn whose voices were unjustly taken from them.”
Goodman verbalized his defense of the unborn.
“We are here for the equality of all people from the beginning of life to the end of life and for the solidarity we can share with the mom, the child, and the father and we are here to help,” Goodman said.
As he was being led out of the courtroom, Goodman said “Vivo Cristo Rey,” which translates to “I live Christ the King.”