CHARLOTTE — The Catholic Pro-Life Action Network (C-PLAN) is expanding beyond Charlotte, forming a chapter in the Triad region to coordinate pro-life efforts among parishes.
C-PLAN was established in 2015 by parish Respect Life coordinators and pro-life leaders from around Charlotte to organize pro-life activities in the area. It has arranged a prayer rally in front of Charlotte’s Planned Parenthood facility, led numerous pro-life marches and prayer vigils in front of the city’s abortion mills, sponsored pro-life lectures, and launched the Vigil of the Two Hearts, a First Friday/Saturday devotion held at St. Patrick Cathedral.
Guided by the Charlotte C-PLAN group, Respect Life leaders in the Triad area, which covers Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point and surrounding areas, have been meeting since last summer to mobilize Triad Catholics and, through collaboration among parishes, boost local pro-life efforts. Triad Catholics already have pitched in on a major effort: hosting the Diocese of Charlotte’s Respect Life Conference Sept. 29 in Kernersville.
“I am very excited about helping to establish a strong pro-life group in the Triad,” said Samantha Hogan, a member of St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem. “We are just in the baby steps, but I feel confident that with enough people, advertising and activities, C-PLAN of the Triad could create momentum that helps us increase the number of Catholics participating in pro-life work here.”
Sue Perez, Respect Life coordinator at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greensboro, is one of the collaborators in this effort. “One goal of forming this regional pro-life group in the Triad is to be a support for one another already active in building a culture of life,” she said. “Another goal is to encourage through education and activities the expansion of awareness and opportunities to participate in building a culture of life.”
“John Paul II called for the full mobilization of all Catholic resources toward the cause of protecting the unborn, and I’m excited to see this beginning to happen in the Triad,” said Jessica Grabowski, Respect Life program director for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. “There is a lot of interest and enthusiasm among the parish Respect Life leaders in the Triad area, so I’m hopeful this will blossom.”
The Triad C-PLAN group meets at Bishop McGuinness High School on the second Monday of each month. For more information, email Sue Perez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent. Editor’s note: Mike FitzGerald is a correspondent for the Catholic News Herald and one of the leaders of C-PLAN Charlotte.