CHARLOTTE — Challenges to assemble and pray near Charlotte-area abortion clinics keep mounting as the city is set to review stronger noise rules outside medical facilities.
Charlotte City Council will soon hear and decide on changes to its noise ordinance, which would limit amplified noise within 200 feet from the property line of schools, houses of worship and medical facilities when they are open.
The Neighborhood Development Committee is recommending these changes, and council members acknowledged in an April 17 committee meeting that these proposed changes are targeted toward those assembling near abortion facilities. A Preferred Women’s Health on Latrobe Drive, Charlotte’s busiest abortion mill, performs several thousand abortions each year, and city officials have noted the amount of resources spent policing those gathered and praying outside the facility.
The proposed changes to the noise ordinance, which should be open for community discussion at the June 3 City Council Strategy Session, would require the designated places to put up signs explaining they are quiet zones. These changes would not restrict the distribution of literature or other quiet activities.
Pro-life advocates are concerned that these changes would limit free speech, as many pro-life groups pray, witness, counsel and sing outside the abortion clinics.
St. Michael Church in Gastonia parishioner and LifeChain of Gaston County member Linda Mooney attended the April 17 city meeting along with others involved in the pro-life cause.
“These changes tread on our First Amendment right to free speech,” Mooney said. “Our country was founded on differences of opinion and being able to express those freely.”
Mooney spends many Saturdays outside the Latrobe Drive abortion facility praying for life.
“I’ve been involved in pro-life activities for a long time out of love for life, the women and the babies,” she said. “I do believe that women deserve better than this.”
Recently, “on street” parking was limited near another of Charlotte’s three abortion facilities, Family Reproductive Health. This South End facility, located off South Boulevard, performs 1,500 to 2,000 abortions a year. This move is also said to target pro-life advocates assembling to pray near the facility.
The noise ordinance changes are not clearly outlined, Mooney said. Instead of using a decibel level to determine sound levels, the ordinance would limit amplified and “unreasonably loud” noise.
“It’s not measured or well-defined,” Mooney said. “It’s not that the volume would need to reach a certain decibel. Someone would just need to say it’s bothering them.”
The buffer rules would extend to parades, bars and restaurants within 200 feet of schools, houses of worship or medical facilities. St. Peter Church in Charlotte on Tryon Street overlooks a popular parade route in the city of Charlotte.
There are also proposed changes that deal with construction noise. Fines would be $100 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for additional violations.
Depending on the outcome of the June 3 discussion, the council vote on this issue could happen June 24.
— Kimberly Bender, Online reporter
Want to get involved?
At www.prolifecharlotte.org: Learn more about pro-life activities. To learn how to have your voice heard on this issue, contact Linda Mooney, 704-589-3930 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
BELMONT — Michael P. Warsaw, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EWTN, has been named the third recipient of the Benedict Leadership Award. The award, given by the Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont Abbey College, was presented in a public ceremony at Belmont Abbey College March 29.
The Institute selected Warsaw above all for his leadership as Chairman and CEO of EWTN, the largest religious media network in the world, and for his commitment to bringing the truth of the faith across the mainstream media and into millions of homes throughout the world.
“While your life displays numerous reasons for being worthy of the Benedict Leadership Award, the committee wishes to honor and highlight your leadership as chairman and CEO of EWTN, as publisher of the National Catholic Register, and your personal witness as a man of faith,” wrote Executive Director Conor Gallagher in his selection letter to Warsaw.
The committee also wishes to highlight Warsaw’s vision for EWTN global outreach and its impact on Catholics in the heart of Africa.
The Benedict Leadership Institute was founded in 2016 to develop and inspire Catholic leaders to transform society in light of their faith. The Benedict Leadership Award is a key activity of the Institute.
The Institute confers the award annually, recognizing outstanding men and women whose achievements reflect the heroic leadership of St. Benedict. Last year’s recipient was Leonard Leo, preceded by Carl Anderson.
Recipients deliver a public address in their area of leadership and are presented with a $10,000 cash award. Warsaw graciously turned down the cash award, but asked that the money be donated to the work of EWTN.
Belmont Abbey College, home of the Benedict Leadership Institute, is a Catholic college located near Charlotte. Founded in 1876 by Benedictine monks, it is recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as one of America’s top Catholic colleges.
— Saint Benedict Press