Fr. Peter Hesse was visiting the United States for the summer from his home country, Ghana. He is very interested in expanding the pro-life movement in the Accra Archdiocese so wanted to see what the American pro-lifers were doing.
Don Magnotta, a member of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, took Fr. Peter to various pro-live events and organizations in the New York City area, including a 40 Days for Life vigil in Hempstead and a Helpers prayer group that meets on Saturdays mornings in front of All Women’s Medical Pavilion abortion facility, in Kew Gardens (photo).
On his return to the Accra Archdiocese, Fr. Peter will undertake to start a Pro-Life Support Group at the 3 major hospitals he directs. Although abortion is illegal in Ghana, it is practiced behind the scenes.
Don has helped build a clinic in the archdiocese through a charity that he directs, International Help of Missionaries (IHM), and will also assist Fr. Peter in his pro-life work. If you would like to donate to Fr. Peter’s work please go to the IHM site.
This is what Fr. Peter said about the huge task that awaits him in his country:
"Concerning the Pro-Life Support Group which I am about to start officially, I must say this stems out of a great passion illumined by the power of the hospital and highly motivated by Don when I met him. Don of IHM has been of a tremendous support in helping us in our Archdiocese to build a clinic. We are not yet done with the project because of funds but we keep praying.
Although, I am yet to officially launch the Pro-Life Support Group, I have started doing something already. Thanks be to God I have 2 persons who will help in counseling. Currently, I have a youngster who after childbirth, abandoned the baby and left it the hospital. Actually, I am the Director in charge of three big hospitals in the archdiocese so I have asked that one nurse should take full custody of the baby till I get back home. This will really entail a lot since I must search for the mother or her relatives. If I am not able to find any clue, I have no choice other than to continue to take care of the baby by officially handing it to a group of nuns who run an orphanage — then I pay for the bills, feeding, and upkeep . . . .
The Pro-Life Support Group will have target groups such as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and schools. There are high rates of abortion in both secondary schools and colleges so I need to really lace my boots and get out there to work . . . . This really involves a lot, but come what may, I am ever-determined because life must be PROTECTED AND THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE should be respected.
Stay blessed, keep me in your prayers as I do same for you. Regards to the entire team and please thank Don for all his support and motivation."
Best regards,
Fr. Peter