Citing state budget cuts, Planned Parenthood of West Texas officials announced its Perini Center abortion facility will be shutting down November 9. It had been in business for 12 years. For the past three years, Planned Parenthood staff have been committing medication abortions one day per month, according to a KTXS.com report.

A 2009 Abilene Reporter News article says the center has been licensed to commit medically and surgically induced abortions since 2008, though it denied ever committing surgical abortions. The facility has long been targeted by Dr. Jim Sulliman and the peaceful, prayerful group he cofounded, West Texans for Life. Pro-life protesters have prayed many, many Rosaries outside the facility, asking Our Lady to bring an end to the business.

The first 40 Days for Life vigil took place in Abilene in 2009. We reported in September of 2009 that Bishop Michael Pfeifer, of the San Angelo Catholic diocese, led a crowd of more than 200 people in praying the Rosary at the facility.

Inspired by the success of the vigil, West Texans for Life launched a permanent prayer presence outside the facility. Their prayers have been answered. Thanks be to God for this victory, and for all those who have committed themselves so selflessly to bringing an end to Planned Parenthood’s presence in their community, as well as those working on the state level in Texas to defund Planned Parenthood.