Babies diagnosed with Potter syndrome normally do not survive because the condition often inhibits the growth of their organs, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
It is unclear how many abortions are conducted after a prenatal diagnosis of Potter syndrome. NIH states that “If the underlying cause of Potter sequence is determined to have a poor long-term outlook, some parents decide not to perform extreme life-saving measures.”
Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) wrote in the Wall Street Journal in 2019 that she and her husband received the diagnosis for their unborn child in 2013, and their doctor informed them that women often choose abortion in such situations. Beutler said that treatments on her unborn daughter ultimately proved successful and that she is alive today.
Elise Hood said that placing her pregnancy in God’s hands gave her peace.
“When I finally surrendered everything to God, I was just overcome with so much peace, which has allowed me to really enjoy the pregnancy, and really enjoy every moment with Fulton,” she told EWTN Pro-Life Weekly.
And the couple hopes that their story might inspire other couples to choose life.
“If we can help anybody else or inspire anyone else to just put all their trust in God, through her story and through our little Fulton, then we’d be so grateful,” Elise said.
Weeks before Sheen’s beatification was scheduled to take place in December, 2019, the bishop of Rochester asked that it be postponed to allow for more time for his cause to be examined.
The request was reportedly due to concerns that Sheen might be named in an ongoing state investigation into New York’s Catholic dioceses. The investigation by the state attorney general’s office, which is still ongoing, is focusing on allegations that the dioceses failed to protect sex abuse victims and covered up clergy sex abuse.
Matt Hadro was the political editor at Catholic News Agency through October 2021. He previously worked as CNA senior D.C. correspondent and as a press secretary for U.S. Congressman Chris Smith.