Even before the Franciscan Brothers of Peace were founded, many of her future members were incredibly active in the Pro-Life movement. In the 1980’s, not even a decade after Roe v. Wade was passed at the Supreme Court in the United States, there was much organized opposition to the taking of a life of a preborn child. Even in Minnesota...
Michael Gaworski and Paul O’Donnell were zealous pro-life friends who met in seminary. In 1981 they founded Pro-Life Action Ministries, which is still active in Minnesota today. PLAM is dedicated to saving the pre-born, their mothers and their fathers from the harm of the abortion industry through direct action and supportive intervention.
The Holy Spirit was moving...Just one year later, Michael began the process for the Franciscan Brothers of Peace to become a "religious institute in formation" in the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, and is known as our Founding Brother.
The Brothers continued to play an integral role at PLAM and as national speakers, spreading awareness about the spiritual and physical dangers of abortion across the country. They also established "sidewalk counseling" as an effective outreach model.
Meanwhile, in the 1990’s, Brother Michael fell ill with a bacterial pneumonia which rendered him unconscious and not breathing for several minutes before he was found and treated. The lack of oxygen to the brain left him brain-injured and tragically unable to communicate, but conscious. The Brothers cared steadfastly for him at home in the friary for 12 years, embracing the pro-life message in an even more profound way.
When Brother Michael died, our Brother Paul became a staunch advocate for the medically vulnerable and for end-of-life issues. Bobby Schindler, the blood-brother of the suffering Terri Schiavo, approached the Brothers at a pro-life conference, having heard of their devoted care for Brother Michael. Brother Paul became a chaplain to the family, and soon thereafter, a spokesperson to the media when the controversy surrounding Terri became public. Terri's life tragically ended by dehydration-starvation when a court sided with her estranged husband as medical power-of-attorney, instead of her biological family who was ready to care for her.
Brother Paul died in 2015. The Brothers continue to sidewalk counsel several times a week. The powerful intercession of those sacrificed to the abortion industry as well as Terri Schiavo continue to strengthen the mission behind our Brothers to protect every human life from conception until his or her natural end. The founding charism of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace pulsates through every one of our activities and reinforces the depth of the love we share with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
--> PLAM's website to learn more or get involved in the pro-life movement in Minnesota, Florida, and beyond...
--> Terri's Life and Hope Network, founded in her honor, defends the medically vulnerable through a powerful legal and advocacy network. Learn more...
--> Our recent newsmagazine post-Roe v Wade...