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The Reporter -- September 2, 1999
"Christians confront hospital in song and prayer for life"
by Iva-Marie Palmer

"Close to 800 hands were clasped tightly to one another Saturday, as nearly 400 Christian pro-life advocates gathered for a prayer vigil outside Christ Hospital and Medical Center, 4440 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn.

Members of various faiths and churches came out in numbers for an interfaith prayer vigil sponsored by Our Lady of Guadalupe's Helpers for Life and South Side Christians for Life, hoping to influence the drafting of a hospital policy on terminating pregnancies.

The vigil's attendance more than tripled that of a vigil for the same purpose, held outside the hospital July 31. Prayer started at 9:30 a.m. with the rosary, followed by 60 seconds of silent prayer. Participants also sang "Amazing Grace" and answered "Lord, hear our prayer" to a series of Petitions for Life, led by Pastor Rob VanderPutten, of Oak Lawn Green Oak Reformed Church.

The advocates argue that, because Christ is a faith-based hospital, it should not perform abortions, said Tim Harlow, the pastor of Tinley Park Christian Church and organizer of the event.  Harlow planned to meet with Advocate Health Care's chief executive officer, Richard Risk, on Tuesday, he said. Advocate owns Christ and eight other Illinois hospitals. Harlow wants to work with Risk to devise a systemwide policy, he said.   "I don't anticipate them saying, 'Oh, OK, we'll change our policy,' as soon as I walk in," Harlow said. "But least we're getting the door open and maybe there will be some dialogue."

A self-professed "staunch pro-life supporter" and member of St. Alexander's parish, state Sen. Patrick O'Malley (R-18, Palos Park) also attended the vigil. O'Malley, a member of the hospital's governing council, has been talking to Advocate Health Care officials, he said.

Currently, Christ Hospital has no policy on abortion, said public relations director Sue Reimbold. Reimbold believes the first vigil was organized after someone got a hold of a draft of the possible policy, she said.

The hospital needs to look to its church leaders - the United Church of Christ and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - for assistance in devising a policy, Reimbold said. Whatever is decided will affect not only Christ Hospital, but all in Advocate's system. A task force is in charge of formulating a policy from the system's perspective, she said.

"Christ Hospital has provided pregnancy termination only under rare circumstances, when medically indicated. In practice, pregnancy termination has occurred in very limited instances, when the patient and her physician have determined that complex and critical maternal or fetal conditions threaten the life or health of the mother or developing fetus, "the hospital stated in a written statement issued Aug. 12.

If a fetus has a genetic disorder such as Down syndrome (genetic testing began about five years ago at Christ), parents go through spiritual and psychological counseling, Reimbold said. Ninety percent of mothers go through with the pregnancy; of the 10 percent who don't, very few have abortions at Christ, Reimbold said.

The pro-lifers didn't agree with that philosophy. "Parents who don't want to raise a child because of some imperfection should know there are lots of outlets," said Jerry O'Konski, a member of Illinois Citizens for Life.

Kim Taylor, a member of Queen of Martyrs parish in Evergreen Park, called abortions at Christ "a dark cloud hanging over the hospital." Taylor - whose 2-year-old son had open heart surgery at Hope, Christ's children's hospital - handed out rosaries to vigil participants.

The vigil remained peaceful, as planned by its organizers; however, the police and Christ Hospital security were on hand in case any violent  protesters arrived and because the vigil took place so close to the street, Reimbold said.

According to a flier distributed to Saturday's attendees, another vigil is planned for Oct. 2, unless the hospital adopts a policy with which the groups can agree."

Media Coverage 
St. George Pro-Life | Parkview Christian Church