Catholic Priest and Pro-Life Advocate Sentenced to Prison for Obstructing Access to Abortion Facility
Father Fidelis Moscinski, CFR, a Catholic priest, and pro-life activist, has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for his actions in blocking access to a Planned Parenthood abortion facility. Moscinski placed locks and chains on the gated entrance, which led to his conviction for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
Judge Steven Tiscione imposed the maximum sentence of six months for the specific offense. During the proceedings, Moscinski, represented by the pro-life organization Red Rose Rescue, appealed for leniency, explaining that his actions were motivated by his belief that Planned Parenthood is involved in ending human lives.
Although Father Moscinski is affiliated with Red Rose Rescue, the organization has clarified that his attempt to obstruct access to the abortion clinic was not sanctioned by them. Red Rose Rescue highlighted that their members are free to engage in pro-life activism independently, acting as individuals rather than representatives of the organization.
In his statement to the judge, Moscinski expressed his view that every abortion performed at Planned Parenthood constitutes the intentional killing of an innocent human being. He further emphasized the emotional and spiritual harm inflicted upon the mothers involved. Moscinski also criticized the FACE Act, describing it as a “pseudo-law” that attempts to legitimize inherently evil and unjust actions by masking them as “reproductive health care.”
Moscinski implored Judge Tiscione to mitigate what he believed to be an unjust ruling by imposing the most lenient sentence possible. However, the judge chose to impose the harshest penalty, citing Moscinski’s prior arrests related to pro-life activism as justification for the sentence.
The incident in question occurred on the morning of July 7, 2022, at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Hempstead, New York. Moscinski effectively disrupted the clinic’s operations for approximately two hours by securing locks and chains on the entrance, some of which were covered in glue. After the locks were removed by the fire and police departments, Moscinski lay down in front of the entrance to prevent vehicles from entering, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
While Moscinski has faced previous arrests for his pro-life activism, this is the first time he has been found guilty of violating the FACE Act. In a separate development, New York Attorney General Letitia James recently filed a lawsuit against Red Rose Rescue, seeking to prohibit Moscinski and other members from approaching within 30 feet of abortion clinics. Although the FACE Act violation was not connected to Red Rose Rescue, the attorney general referenced the incident as one of the justifications for the lawsuit.
