Phoenix diocese says no to Mass planned for facility that hosted PP:
Calling Planned Parenthood "one of the largest abortion providers in the nation," the Rev. David Sanfilippo, vicar general, said it would be inappropriate for a Catholic Mass to take place at Corona Ranch and Rodeo Grounds, located at Baseline Road and 29th Avenue in Laveen.
But the owners will go forward with the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe vigil and celebration, which begins Dec. 11 and usually draws 400 people. It has been broadcast live on a Hispanic radio station, and food will be given to families.
"This is not a Catholic issue. This was a business decision," said Alex Corona, general manager for the grounds, which also has hosted gay rodeos. "We do business with everybody."
On Nov. 18, Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona held "Celebracion de Noche Latina" at the grounds, said spokeswoman Melissa Schiffman.
"It is a big event for us," she said. "It was partly a fundraiser and also to kind of bring the Latino community together to demonstrate a commitment to family planning and to the reduction of teen pregnancy through accurate health education in the community." Because of high rates of pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases in that cultural group, it was organized as "an awareness night" and a way to raise funds for two Planned Parenthood health centers in areas with high Hispanic populations, she said.
What's odd is that no one is this story address the contraception issue. The diocese doesn't cite it, the reporter doesn't cite it. The PP event was a contraception-fest. That's enough, isn't it?
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