Rachel Evans
Abby Johnson is a former Planned Parenthood clinic director who quit her job to join the pro-life movement. Her story is depicted in the film Unplanned, which was based on her autobiography of the same name. Johnson converted to Catholicism in 2012, along with her husband, Doug. She was brought into the Catholic Church by Father Frank Pavone. Johnson has since become a vocal pro-life advocate and a prolific speaker, charging between ten and twenty thousand dollars per appearance. She has also written a book, Unplanned, which details her journey from working at Planned Parenthood to becoming a Catholic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Abby Johnson converted to Catholicism | 2012 |
| Abby Johnson's religion before converting to Catholicism | Baptist, Episcopalian |
| Abby Johnson's husband | Doug |
| Abby Johnson's husband's religion before converting to Catholicism | Lutheran |
| Abby Johnson's reason for leaving the Baptist church | Objected to her work at Planned Parenthood |
| Abby Johnson's reason for leaving the Episcopal Church | She felt unwelcome after going public with her anti-abortion stance |
| Abby Johnson's reason for converting to Catholicism | Wanted the Eucharist |
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What You'll Learn
Abby Johnson's conversion to Catholicism
Abby Johnson is an American anti-abortion activist and former Planned Parenthood clinic director. Johnson resigned from her position at Planned Parenthood in October 2009, citing that she could no longer work there after witnessing an abortion on ultrasound. Since then, she has become a vocal pro-life advocate.
Johnson was raised as a Southern Baptist in a conservative family opposed to abortion. However, she began volunteering for Planned Parenthood in 2001 while attending college, where she was exposed to the pro-choice movement. After her resignation from Planned Parenthood, Johnson's journey led her to explore different Christian denominations. She and her husband, Doug, who was raised Lutheran, stopped attending church for two years before joining the Episcopal Church. However, Johnson stated that she felt unwelcome at this church after going public with her conversion to the anti-abortion position.
In her search for a new spiritual home, Johnson considered Catholicism. She and her husband met with a representative from the Catholic Church and expressed their interest in learning more about the faith. They had many questions and challenges about the moral and doctrinal teachings of the Church. Over time, they stumbled their way into believing many of the teachings, and in 2012, they converted to Roman Catholicism. Johnson has spoken about her desire for the Eucharist and how she believes that Catholics have the "fullness of truth." She has also emphasised the importance of defending the Church and spreading the faith.
Johnson's conversion to Catholicism caused tensions among some Christian groups, who were wary of her newfound religious affiliation. However, she has embraced her Catholic faith and continues to be a prominent voice in the pro-life movement. She has written a memoir, "Unplanned," which details her journey and has been adapted into a movie by the same name. Johnson's story and her advocacy for the pro-life movement have inspired many, and she remains a dedicated Catholic evangelist.
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Abby Johnson's book, 'Unplanned'
Abby Johnson's book, "Unplanned", is a memoir and a personal account of her journey from being a Planned Parenthood clinic director to becoming a leading anti-abortion activist and joining the Coalition for Life. Johnson's resignation from Planned Parenthood in October 2009 became national news as she was the director of a clinic in Texas and had participated in an abortion procedure for the first time. She then joined the Coalition for Life, sparking concern from Planned Parenthood about the potential sharing of inside information.
Johnson's memoir provides a dramatic and captivating narrative of her life-changing encounters, courtroom battles, and spiritual transformation. It offers a unique perspective on both sides of the abortion debate and has been praised for its honesty and self-reflection. The book has won awards and been adapted into a movie of the same name, released in 2019.
The book also details Johnson's exploration of different Christian denominations. Raised as a Southern Baptist, Johnson left the church due to its objection to her work at Planned Parenthood. She and her husband, Doug, stopped attending church for a period before joining the Episcopal Church, which holds more liberal views on abortion. However, Johnson later felt unwelcome in this church as well, and in 2012, she and her husband converted to Roman Catholicism.
Johnson's journey towards Catholicism is an important aspect of "Unplanned". She and her husband initially had many questions and doubts about the Catholic Church's teachings. They sought guidance and slowly built trust with those who helped them explore Catholicism, challenging and being challenged in return. Johnson's conversion caused tensions with some Christian groups, who were wary of her newfound faith. Despite this, Johnson remained committed to her anti-abortion beliefs and has continued to speak out on the issue.
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Abby Johnson's movie, 'Unplanned'
Abby Johnson is an American anti-abortion activist and public speaker who previously worked at Planned Parenthood as a clinic director. Johnson resigned from her position in October 2009, citing that she had been asked to assist in an ultrasound-guided abortion at thirteen weeks gestation, during which she witnessed the fetus showing signs of distress as it was aborted. Johnson's story is depicted in the 2019 biographical drama film, 'Unplanned', which is based on her memoir of the same name.
The film opens with Johnson's home life with her husband, Doug, and their daughter, Grace. Johnson's voice-over states that she was tricked into working with Planned Parenthood, and the scene shifts to the 2009 incident that changed her perspective. Johnson is seen leaving the procedure room in tears. The film then shifts to a flashback of Johnson's junior year at Texas A&M University, where she encounters a Planned Parenthood booth at a career fair. Johnson agrees to volunteer, believing that their goal was to reduce the number of abortions.
As one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation, Johnson initially believed in a woman's right to choose. However, her perspective shifts as she becomes disillusioned with the organization's practices. Johnson states that profits from abortion were prioritized, and counselors were more focused on sales than providing accurate medical information. The film portrays Johnson's transition from her work at Planned Parenthood to her subsequent anti-abortion activism.
'Unplanned' received mixed responses from critics and audiences. It was rejected by Canadian distributors and faced challenges with advertising due to its controversial subject matter. The film has been criticized by doctors and advocates for Planned Parenthood, who dispute the accuracy of its portrayal of abortion and the organization. However, others have found it to be a thought-provoking story that sheds light on important issues. The film grossed $21 million worldwide on a $6 million budget.
Johnson and her husband converted to Catholicism in 2012 after exploring the Catholic Church and meeting with representatives. They had initially reached out with questions about the Catholic Church and its teachings, and their journey towards conversion involved building trust and addressing challenging topics. Johnson's conversion caused tensions among some Christian groups, who were wary of her newfound Catholicism.
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Abby Johnson's pro-life advocacy
In 2009, Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director, left her position and became a prominent voice in the pro-life movement. Johnson's journey towards becoming a pro-life advocate began during an ultrasound-guided abortion procedure that she was asked to assist with. Witnessing the procedure was a turning point for Johnson, who realized the humanity of the unborn child and the violence of abortion. This marked the beginning of her transformation and eventual departure from Planned Parenthood.
After leaving, Johnson founded And Then There Were None, an organization dedicated to providing financial, spiritual, and emotional support to abortion clinic workers who want to leave the industry. Through this initiative, she has helped hundreds of workers transition to new careers and offered them assistance in finding new jobs. Johnson's work highlights the often-overlooked perspective of abortion providers and their potential desire to exit the industry.
In addition to her work with And Then There Were None, Johnson is also the founder of SpeakLife, an advocacy group that encourages and trains individuals to share their pro-life stories effectively. Through SpeakLife, Johnson empowers people to become advocates for the unborn, helping them to articulate their experiences and engage in productive dialogue with others. This initiative aims to create a network of well-equipped pro-life ambassadors who can influence public opinion and policy.
Johnson's advocacy extends beyond these organizations. She is a sought-after speaker, regularly sharing her story at events and conferences. She has also written several books, including the bestselling "Unplanned," which was later adapted into a movie. Through her writing, Johnson provides a firsthand account of her experiences and offers a powerful testimony of her transformation. The book and subsequent film have played a significant role in raising awareness about the realities of abortion and the impact it has on individuals and families.
Johnson's pro-life advocacy is rooted in her Catholic faith, which she embraced in 2011. She has often spoken about the role her faith plays in her work, providing a moral and spiritual foundation for her efforts. Through her faith, Johnson finds the strength and purpose to continue her advocacy, even in the face of opposition and criticism. Her journey and commitment to her beliefs serve as an inspiration to many who share her values.
Abby Johnson's journey from Planned Parenthood employee to passionate pro-life advocate has had a significant impact on the movement. Through her organizations, speaking engagements, writing, and personal testimony, Johnson has played a pivotal role in raising awareness, offering support, and changing hearts and minds on the issue of abortion. Her work continues to inspire and empower others to join the pro-life cause and defend the rights of the unborn.
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Abby Johnson's Catholic evangelism
Abby Johnson, born on July 11, 1980, is an American anti-abortion activist. She previously worked as a clinic director at Planned Parenthood but resigned in October 2009, citing that she left after witnessing an abortion on ultrasound. Johnson, who was raised as a Southern Baptist, left the church due to its objection to her work at Planned Parenthood. She and her husband, Doug, stopped attending church for two years before joining the Episcopal Church. However, after going public with her conversion to the anti-abortion position, Johnson felt unwelcome in this church as well.
Johnson's journey away from Planned Parenthood and into the Catholic Church is a well-known story, even becoming the subject of a movie, "Unplanned." Johnson's story and her eventual conversion to Catholicism inspired many, and she has since become a prolific speaker, sharing her experiences and beliefs with others.
Johnson's conversion to Catholicism was a gradual process. She and her husband initially reached out to a Catholic missionary with questions about the Catholic Church, but they were not ready to commit. Over several months, they met regularly, prayed together, and engaged in open and challenging discussions about the moral and doctrinal teachings of the Catholic Church. Johnson and her husband stumbled their way into believing many of the teachings over time, eventually converting and being welcomed into the Catholic Church by Father Frank Pavone.
Johnson's Catholic evangelism is not without controversy. She has publicly rejected certain Catholic moral teachings, and her behaviour has been described as scandalous by some, including public declarations of racism and attacks on Catholic priests. Additionally, Johnson has made statements advising Christians to reject COVID-19 vaccines due to their potential links to abortions, a stance that contradicts the guidance of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Despite this, Johnson's story and her advocacy for her beliefs have resonated with many, and she continues to be a prominent voice in the anti-abortion movement.
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Frequently asked questions
Abby Johnson, along with her husband, Doug, converted to Catholicism in 2012.
Abby Johnson was raised as a Southern Baptist but left the church because it objected to her work at Planned Parenthood. She and her husband then stopped attending church altogether for two years.
Abby Johnson left the Baptist church because it objected to her work at Planned Parenthood.
After leaving the Baptist church, Abby Johnson and her husband joined the Episcopal Church, which has one of the most liberal stances on abortion among mainline Protestant denominations.
Abby Johnson left the Episcopal Church after she went public with her conversion to an anti-abortion position, as she felt unwelcome in the church.
