EWTN to Premiere Documentary on Pro-Life Icon Joe Scheidler

Hosted by Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood facility director and now pro-life activist, the movie follows a legal battle of Scheidler, the godfather of pro-life activism who died in January 2021, and Brejcha, the attorney who defended him against the National Organization for Women.

Joe Scheidler at the U.S. Supreme Court, 2005
Joe Scheidler at the U.S. Supreme Court, 2005 (photo: Pro-Life Action League. / Pro-Life Action League)

WASHINGTON — A Catholic, non-profit law firm has released a documentary highlighting the influence of pro-life leader Joe Scheidler and his journey to the Supreme Court.

Fighting for Life: The Story of NOW v. Scheidler depicts a nearly three-decade-long legal battle for the freedom to speak publicly against abortion.

It will premiere on EWTN March 22. The documentary includes interviews with Joe and Ann Scheidler, and Tom and Debbie Brejcha. The couples retell their story of their involvement with the early days of the pro-life movement.

Hosted by Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood facility director and now pro-life activist, the movie follows a legal battle of Scheidler, the godfather of pro-life activism who died in January 2021, and Brejcha, the attorney who defended him against the National Organization for Women.

Joe Scheidler left his career in public relations to devote his life to the pro-life movement in 1973, immediately after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade.

The Supreme Court’s 2006 decision Scheidler v. National Organization for Women affirmed the freedom of protest, including pro-life activists’ right to pray outside abortion clinics and share life-affirming alternatives to terminating a pregnancy.

The court decision is one of the factors that led to the birth of the Thomas More Society, and the story of these two men versus the abortion industry continues to be a influence on the non-profit.

Caryn Talty, the documentary’s producer, expressed excitement for the movie’s release, saying it is a true story of an underdog who beats the odds.

Joseph M. Scheidler, 93, former National Director of the Pro-Life Action League.

Catholic Schools and a Pro-Life Warrior (Jan. 30)

A new book is looking at the unexpected success of Catholic schools in Massachusetts and asking some hard questions about Catholic education. This week on Register Radio we are joined by Cara Candal, co-editor of the book A Vision of Hope: Catholic Schooling in Massachusetts. And then, we have just marked the anniversary of the infamous Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision, and Register contributor Mary FioRito and Catholic Woman’s Forum joins us to remember the pro-life legend Joe Scheidler and to assess the pro-life cause at this moment in our country.