Our business relationship and friendship began more than 25 years ago, and we have worked together on a variety of projects and causes. Along with our family and friends, we have spent a lot of time together talking about important issues like religion and politics.
We have many similar beliefs, including our Catholic faith. Additionally, we share an appreciation for the United States, the democracy that formed it, and the American-style, free-market capitalism that benefits all of society. We have both been entrepreneurial and successful in pursuing the American dream. But that dream is under attack by Planned Parenthood of America Inc.
The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Obviously, without the right to life, no other rights can exist. Since the Supreme Court decision in 1973 (Roe v. Wade), abortion has been legal throughout the country—what a travesty! Or, as Mother Teresa said, “If abortion is not wrong, nothing is wrong.”
Nearly 20 years ago, with the help of our mutual friend, the late Bowie Kuhn, we launched a pro-life mutual fund. The goal was to develop an investment vehicle to produce excellent investment results while screening out of the portfolio any company supporting abortion or pornography.
These screens eliminate companies that contribute corporate dollars to Planned Parenthood—the largest provider of abortions in the country.
From one fund with a few million dollars invested at its inception on May 1, 2001, the Ave Maria Mutual Funds have grown to a family of five pro-life, pro-family mutual funds with shareholders in all 50 states and more than $2.4 billion invested.
Unlike Planned Parenthood, we are pro-life, pro-capitalism, and pro-America. Planned Parenthood claims abortion is only a small percentage of their services, but this calculation is misleading and self-serving. They don’t want us to focus on what they really do and how they make profits.
The current hit movie “Unplanned” has lifted the curtain and exposed the truth. Planned Parenthood is a nationwide enterprise that profits off girls and women who are scared and confused. They try to dehumanize their “services” with phrases like “clump of cells,” but, in reality, what they do is end human lives.
“Unplanned” is the true story of Abby Johnson, an award-winning former Planned Parenthood employee of the year. After her conversion, she became a prominent pro-life advocate. It’s a great movie and has been well-received by audiences, earning a rare A-plus rating from CinemaScore, despite the extensive efforts from Hollywood, cable media outlets, and others to negatively portray and stifle this movie.
Why has it done so well? Because people are searching for the truth, and this movie exposes the truth for all to see.
There are many social issues in this country that need attention: the collapse of the nuclear family, the growth in the number of children living in single-parent households, the careless way that many young people view relationships, and the so-called “hook-up” culture. Planned Parenthood is not a solution for any of these issues. In fact, it’s part of the problem.
Corporate America has no business giving shareholders’ money to such a deceptive organization. There are worthwhile pro-life pregnancy centers and women’s health organizations that could use those funds much more responsibly and safely for all involved—especially for the most vulnerable among us who have no voice—the innocent unborn.
