The Catholic Diocese of Wichita has started a prayer campaign aimed at the closure of Aria Medical Clinic, the city’s newest abortion provider. The initiative, called “911 Intercessors,” invites Catholics across the diocese to participate in regular prayer during the clinic’s hours of operation.

A SignUpGenius link has been set up to help parishioners join the campaign. The name “911 Intercessors” refers to the nine hours each day that Aria Medical Clinic provides abortion pills to women within the 11-week legal window for chemical abortions in Kansas.

The clinic is located within the parish boundaries of St. Thomas Aquinas. In response, the St. Thomas Aquinas Respect Life Committee developed the prayer initiative. Participants are asked to commit to 15 minutes of prayer once a week, choosing any location and an hour that matches the clinic’s business hours. The campaign will continue through October 1, 2026, but participants can leave at any time. Prayer resources are available on the 911 Intercessors homepage for those seeking guidance.

The diocese encourages all members to sign up and share the campaign with others, aiming for collective prayer and spiritual unity in defense of what they describe as the sanctity of human life. The campaign draws inspiration from scripture, specifically Mark 9:29: “This kind can come out only through prayer and fasting.”

Aria Medical Clinic opened in 2023 at 555 N. Woodlawn, building 1, in Wichita. The clinic does not have visible signage and offers medication abortions for pregnancies up to 11 weeks. It is owned by Dr. Kelly Pfeifer, a physician based in California. The clinic emphasizes privacy, brief appointments, and low-cost or free services. In its first year, it reportedly served over 3,100 clients, including many from outside Kansas due to less restrictive abortion laws in the state.

Bonnie Toombs is the director of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita’s Office of Respect Life and Social Justice.