Chris Slattery R.I.P.

UPDATING - be sure to read the comments that have been left and feel free to leave your own thoughts. Comments link is below.

Certainly a terribly sad time for Chris family, close friends, and all right to life people. But a great victory for Chris.  The tribute below is from Rev. Jim Harden, the CEO of CompassCare which is keeping the life and vision of Chris - Expectant Mother Care - alive and going into the future.

At 4:15am on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, Chris Slattery, 40 year-long pro-life pioneer and hero, died at 68.

 

Fighting two stage-four cancers, this pro-life champion entered hospice on November 14. He died surrounded by his wife and children, supported by numerous priests and bishops.

 

Chris’ legacy will echo into eternity with an estimated 43,000 babies alive today who otherwise would have been aborted—enough to fill his beloved Yankee Stadium. In a recent interview, Chris observed, “I have a unique talent of saving children from being killed.”

 

What was the belief driving his undying passion to spare both women and babies from abortion in his words? “The most precious beings in the world are human beings, made in [God’s] likeness and image, with an eternal soul.”

 

Chris began blazing the trail to save lives in the American abortion capital, New York City, in 1979, shortly after the legalization of abortion. Using his advertising expertise acquired at Boston College, Chris founded the pregnancy center network, Expectant Mother Care, later known as EMC Frontline with 14 locations throughout the five-borough area.

 

Chris’ pioneering spirit gave rise to the use of ultrasound scans in 1986, 20 years before most pregnancy centers ever considered using the technology. He even took imagining to the streets with mobile medical vans, now so popular nationwide.

 

Chris is quick to point out, “It’s not just about saving the babies. It’s saving the mother’s soul, helping her to fulfill her mission in life.”

 

In his later years, Chris became enemy number one for the abortion empire. Since the early 2000s, I personally witnessed Chris' fighting spirit as he and I took the fight to the abortion industry’s front gate. From Eliot Spitzer to Letitia James, Andrew Cuomo to Kathy Hochul, none of the pro-abortion Goliaths in NYC were able to stand before Chris Slattery, the pro-life David. That's Chris. Lesser men might have thrown in the towel.

 

Chris is a member of the Catholic order Opus Dei. In Latin, it means ‘work of God.’ The idea is for the members to see their life work as God’s calling to bring Him glory with the highest levels of excellence. About pregnancy care work Chris said:

 

“This is not just a job. It’s a vocation, and you’ve got to excel at it. You’ve got to become professional at it. I’ve always tried to be good at it…. We have to keep God in mind every moment, praying before, during, and after our work, always offering it for God’s glory. These are God’s children.”

 

Opus Dei indeed.

 

Chris had an Arthurian vision for the world, America, and New York City. A vision in which a woman doesn't feel like she has to choose between her life and her baby’s life.

 

It is humbling and a privilege that Chris placed his pro-life mantle in NYC on me. CompassCare is joining forces with the EMC team to continue Chris’ lifesaving vision, saving twice as many women and babies from abortion in 2024 in what he called "the abortion capital of the world."

 

I am convinced that one day all God’s people will look upon this labor of love and see the work of God. But more importantly, when time is rolled up like a scroll, I believe God Himself will survey the lifesaving work He began with Chris and see hundreds of thousands of lives saved and lived to His glory…and smile—God’s Magnum Opus.

 

Pray for Chris’ wife Eileen and his family as they grieve. A small funeral service is planned in Chris and Eileen's parish with a larger Memorial service to follow. Details for the Memorial service to follow.

 

In Christ,

 

Rev. Jim Harden, M.Div.

CompassCare CEO

Comments

[Thea McGinnis]

My deepest condolences to his family. God bless him to Heaven.

[Peter Lepre]

Dear Lord, grant Chris eternal rest through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph... May we as a Nation adopt Chris's vision and carry on his legacy using the practice of adoption as a start in healing our Nation and the world... I know that would be the Thanksgiving wish Chris would want for all... In Christ's Love, always... Peter Lepre, Envoy For Mercy(MIC)

[Chris Rostenberg]

Chris was a great guy. Funny, smart and kind. Generous. He helped me come to believe in God. He took me to baseball games and a concert. I helped him with his pro-life work. I loved Chris. So did my fiance Michele Rodriguez and my friend Jeanette Ibrahim.

[Michele Rodriguez]

Chris was one of the best pro-life charity worker's I ever met. He was very dedicated to his work and personable.I knew him through my fiance Chris Rostenberg. I saw him at the Westchester/Putnam Right to Life meetings. He had a proud flair to him! Really smart and compassionate. He will always be in my memories. Thank you to his family. They are in my prayers.

[Elizabeth Rex]

Chris was a beloved friend and a fearless leader for all of us in the pro-life movement in New York State, especially throughout the five boroughs of New York City. He was absolutely tireless, his hotline mobile phone would constantly ring at all hours of the day and night. I am quite sure he had his hotline phone with him to the very end. He thankfully lived to see the US Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, and his cancer could not stop him and Eileen from their non-stop, heroic life saving work. Chris was an ardent advocate of the loving and courageous pro-life choice of adoption, and both Chris and Eileen are our adopted daughter's Godparents.
Now, at last, Chris, you can Rest in Peace. We will continue to support your life-saving work you have entrusted to CompassCare. We will miss you so much until we meet again, God willing, in our Heavenly Father's Eternal Home. Pray for us.

[Tony Felicissimo]

Chris was a valiant warrior for life! May he rest in the embrace of God!

[Paula (Ross) Guice]

I am so saddened to hear this. What a great loss. I was blessed to know Chris and count him among my friends.

My prayers and thoughts go to Eileen and the children. May they take comfort knowing countless lives were saved by Chris, and numerous mothers spared the heartbreak of abortion.

May he rest in eternal peace.

[tom faranda]

What a lovely guy and lovely family. We have our son Tim, now 26 years old, because of the efforts of Chris and Expectant Mother Care.

[Theresa Bonopartis]

I think that Chris will join the ranks of Faustina and Therese and spend his heaven doing good on earth. He wont rest, even when he gets to heaven until every baby is saved from abortion. Praying for you, please pray for us and hug our children for us! Blessed to have had you in our lives.

[Sr regina riely ocso]

Chris was Our Lady's special general in the war against Satan whose favor hobby is baby killing and engendering dispair in the mother. As an outspoken warrior fighting Dominions and Powers, Chris' spiritual comrade St Michael and St Joseph, Model of men, stood by him when three attorney generals and NY Governors could not shut him down. No one in the Archdiocese of NY has done more for women and children spiritually & temporally than that soldier of Christ full of Courage because he was full of Faith. Thank You Jesus for his life. Dear Lord, please send us 50 more to take his place. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us.

[Nancy Buckley]

"Well done, good and faithful servant." Rest in peace, dear Chris.

[Gerald Yeung]

To me, Chris Slattery was a pro-life super hero and that's how I introduced him to people. He was a man for all seasons and had an indomitable spirit. Chris was a true friend to the unborn. In the final Judgment, he will surely be vindicated by all the babies and mothers whom he saved and tried to save. "‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’" (Mt. 25:40)