For the Rev. Paul Schenck, abortion is a male sin.

"It is a man's responsibility to support the mother of his child and to protect the child's life," said Schenck, director of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg's Respect for Life office.

Too often, abortion is the result of a man's abandoning the woman he impregnated, he said.

"(Then) the woman has an abortion, not because she is pro-choice, but because she believes she has no choice," Schenck said.

The priest said men and women, Catholic and non-Catholic, can stand together against abortion while attending the Respect Life Mass at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at St. Mary's Church, 309 S. George St. in York City.

Bishop Joseph McFadden -- the diocesan leader -- will celebrate Mass and afterward lead a Rosary Procession to Planned Parenthood at 728 S. Beaver St. in the city. The procession will end across the street from Planned Parenthood, which offers abortion services.

"I like to call this event peaceful, prayerful and legal," said Schenck, a priest who is married with eight children.

Respect for Life Mass is a worship event the bishop leads once a year at a parish within the diocese, Schenck said.

The Rev. Jonathan Sawicki, St. Mary's pastor, said he is thrilled that his parish was chosen for the Mass, as the parish is not far from Planned Parenthood.

"We want to take a stand that every life is cherished and respected," he said. "We hope to galvanize people who are already supporters to get them more firm in their stand to cherish human life. We're standing for our future."

The response: In a statement, Kim Custer, interim Planned Parenthood chief executive officer, said no organization does more to prevent unintended pregnancies and the need for abortions than Planned Parenthood.

Also, 98 percent of the organization's services deal with preventive care, contraception, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, Custer said.

"If the participants in this procession were truly committed to reducing the number of unintended pregnancies, they would work with Planned Parenthood to increase access to affordable birth control and comprehensive sexuality education," she added.

Schenck said the diocese offers educational programs designed to prevent unexpected pregnancies. The diocese also provides shelters, financial assistance and medical care services to help pregnant women seek options other than abortion, he said.

There are diocesan counseling services for women and men making decisions about abortion, as well as retreats and programs to serve women and men after they have gone through with abortion plans, Schenck said.

"Any child is the dual responsibility of men and women, a mother and a father," he said. "The onus should not fall on (the woman) alone."

If you go: Respect Life Mass at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at St. Mary's Church, 309 S. George St. in York City.

Bishop Joseph McFadden will celebrate Mass and afterward lead a rosary procession to Planned Parenthood at 728 S. Beaver St. in the city.

--Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.