NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      NEW ORLEANS (CWNews.com) - Four abortion clinics and a non-abortion-related medical clinic were closed on Monday after a foul-smelling chemical was released into the building, apparently by vandals.

      The FBI said it was investigating, and agents said they believe the medical clinic in Metarie was mistargeted as an abortion clinic. Firefighters identified the chemical as butyric acid which can cause skin and eye damage after lengthy exposure. FBI agents said the chemical could have been dumped in the clinics over the holiday weekend. In one case, it appeared the acid was poured in a mail slot at a clinic and then a water hose was allowed to run in the slot through the weekend. Investigators said the odor produced by the acid was amplified when it was mixed with water.

      The vandalism is similar to incidents in May when ten Florida abortion clinics were also sprayed with butyric acid. No suspects were named in those attacks and the federal investigation is continuing. Police officials said these are the first incidents involving New Orleans-area abortion clinics.