By Elena Macias
The Fontana City Council passed an urgency ordinance during a special September 5 meeting that halts the approval of any building or occupancy permit for a property at the intersection of Sierra Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, where a proposed Planned Parenthood building has been proposed.
The council voted to extend a previous 45-day moratorium to halt the approval of any building or occupancy permit for an additional 10 months, ending in July 2024. The moratorium comes after local Catholics, joining with other people of faith, raised public objection to the proposed Planned Parenthood clinic. As a part of their efforts, the group held an inspirational Prayer Walk from St. Joseph Parish, Fontana to the proposed site on June 2 to register their opposition.
“The prayer walk on June 2 was really impactful,” said Maria Valadez, Director of the Diocesan Office of Respect Life and Pastoral Care Programs. “Having the presence of so many people showed the city of Fontana that there really are people that are pro-life and willing to do something about it.”
In addition to the prayer walk, the four parishes in Fontana committed to praying the Rosary outside of the proposed location Monday through Saturday at 8am every day, they tied blue and pink ribbon on the wired gate, were present during each City Council meeting, and got 3,000 people to sign a petition objecting to the construction of the Planned Parenthood clinic.
“Receiving the news so close to Respect Life Month, just motivates us more. It also shows that there is still so much more we can do and inspires us to be creatively courageous in how we respond to our call to cherish every human life,” Valadez said. “There are many activities planned throughout our diocese, put on by the Respect Life ministries in the parish, to help promote a culture of life and continue informing the community.
“Above all, it shows that God is merciful, and He hears us. Whatever we did was possible because He allowed us to do it and He never let us walk alone.”
If you are in need, call the 24/7 crisis pregnancy Helpline from Options United: (877) 398-7734. The Helpline connects women experiencing a crisis pregnancy to their local pregnancy center to receive accompaniment and support throughout this difficult decision.
Elena Macias is the Managing Editor of the Inland Catholic BYTE.