Archdiocese Provides Update on Missouri's Abortion Numbers

Amid recent reports that Missouri may be the first "abortion free" state in the nation, the Respect Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis provided an update on the status of the last abortion facility in the state, Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region (RHS of PPSLR). 

Urging caution on the validity of reported claims that abortions have stopped in the St. Louis clinic, RLA provided information showing that abortions have greatly decreased in the last year. Specifically, there has been a nearly 24 percent decrease in abortions from 2018 to 2019 and abortions at RHS of PPSLR have sharply declined, with no reports of abortions for December 2020. 

However, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reported that 39 abortions were conducted between January 1 and November 15, 2020, and at least one health system is performing abortions in the cases of perceived "fetal abnormalities" and perceived "maternal health conditions" and "mother's health being at risk". In addition, women who go to RHS of PPSLR are now being referred to Planned Parenthood Fairview Heights Health Center in Illinois for surgical and chemical abortions. 

The MCC joins the Respect Life Apostolate in encouraging the pro-life community "to stay focused on -- and be encouraged by -- the known documented successes" of our efforts in the state. We must continue our efforts to provide support and protection for mothers and their unborn children in Missouri.

The full statement from the Respect Life Apostolate can be found on the Archdiocese of St. Louis website.