The Answer to Abortion: Align with Christ
From time to time it’s necessary to update ourselves on the abortion statistics available for our state. Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Health publishes an “Abortion Statistics Report” for the prior year, and the 2019 report is now online.
31,018. That’s how many abortions were performed in Pennsylvania in 2019. That total is up 2.2% from 2018, and includes both surgical and abortion pill procedures. This is the second year in a row there has been an increase. And the increases are happening locally, not just statewide. The number of abortions performed on Lancaster County residents is up 11% to 525. The number of abortions performed on Lebanon County residents is up 12% to 129. And the use of the abortion pill continues to rise – it now accounts for 45% of all abortions carried out in our state.
Most counties in PA do not have abortion facilities, including Lancaster and Lebanon. But a total of 3,688 abortions were provided in neighboring Berks, Chester, York, and Dauphin counties. Sadly, almost half of all abortions performed in PA happen in nearby Philadelphia county.
Despite this heavy update, please remember: abortion is not an insurmountable problem. Nor is it an unforgiveable sin. Abortion is a spiritual problem, and only thing powerful enough to eradicate it from the face of the earth is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus says in John 14:6: “I am… the LIFE.” Here at the beginning of this brand new year, we can decide together to align our hearts and minds with Jesus so that life, not abortion, is the outcome. We have all been created for Him.