The Abortion Talks: They Found Respect, But Not Common Ground
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One is pro-life, the other pro-choice: how two leaders found friendship after a deadly clinic attack.
We speak with two women from opposing sides of the bitter and often toxic debate over abortion. Frances Hogan and The Rev. Anne Fowler were involved in a series of years-long intensive, secret talks. Their candid conversations began after a gunman opened fire at two Massachusetts abortion clinics nearly thirty years ago. The attack left two women dead and five people injured.
In this episode, we learn the extraordinary story of how Anne and Frances gained a much deeper understanding and respect for one another. They even became friends, but did not find common ground on the issue that divides them. Neither changed their views about access to abortion.
Both Frances and Anne were among those profiled in the new documentary, The Abortion Talks, about what happened after the deadly attacks. On this episode of Let’s Find Common Ground, both of them explain how difficult it was to be part of many hours of grueling conversations. We hear how they learned to overcome fear, stereotyping and anger. Our podcast includes moments of warmth, humor and surprise.
Read the Episode Transcript
Ep 84 – The Abortion Talks: They Found Respect, But Not Common Ground
Frances Hogan
Frances Hogan is an accomplished legal professional who has served in leadership roles for numerous pro-life and Catholic organizations, including Women Affirming Life and the Pro-Life Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Advisory Council to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She has also served as a member of the Steering Committee of the Eighth Synod of the Archdiocese of Boston, as Chair of its Pro-Life Committee, on the Board of the Pro-Life Legal Defense Fund, on the Board of the Value of Life Committee, on the Board and as President of Massachusetts Citizens for Life. In 1996, Ms. Hogan was named by the Vatican as a Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life and she served in that capacity for twenty years.
Reverend Anne Fowler
The Reverend Anne C. Fowler is an Episcopal priest semi-retired from parish ministry.
She has lived out her commitment to women’s reproductive health and choice by serving on the boards of Planned Parenthood, MA, the board of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, and by serving on and chairing the board of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.
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