Omaha's Catholic Archbishop, George Lucas, said Tuesday he is opposed to the opening of a Planned Parenthood facility on N. 93rd Street.

A news release reads in part, "It is profoundly disturbing that Planned Parenthood of the Heartland has announced its intention to open a new center at 3105 N. 93rd Street in Omaha that will include among its services the killing of unborn children through abortion.

So many people of good will in Omaha have become involved in efforts to reduce violence in our community. It is particularly ironic that Planned Parenthood is now proposing to increase the possibility of violent attacks on innocent human life, attacks that are no less harmful to the life of our community even though they remain largely hidden from view."

As an alternative to abortion, in the statement Archbishop Lucas notes that a number of organizations can offer support to women. "I invite any woman who might be considering abortion to turn first to the loving and supportive care of the pro-life pregnancy help centers in the Omaha area. These include Catholic Charities, Essential Pregnancy Services, A Woman’s Touch, AAA Crisis Pregnancy Center, Bethlehem House and Gabriel’s Corner (in Council Bluffs)".

For its part, when Planned Parenthood announced the decision to open the facility on N. 93rd it said it was doing so in an effort make sure women have access to a range of reproductive health services. Two other Planned Parenthood sites in Omaha do not offer abortion services.