To end abortion by replacing its perceived need with holistic care and faith-filled empowerment.
Project Defending Life (PDL) is a Catholic, pro-life organization dedicated to building a culture of life through life-affirming transformation of every New Mexican for the glory of God.
We currently serve Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Rio Rancho. Gallup coming soon!
Our Values
- Woman-centered
- Sacrificial Service
- Relevance
- Perseverance
- Faith
Our History
What started in the 1980s as a prayer movement led by Brother Matthias Barrett (founder of the Good Shepherd Center and the Barrett Home for unwed mothers in Albuquerque), Project Defending Life serves as the epicenter of the pro-life movement in New Mexico. Our ministries include a pregnancy medical clinic, a sidewalk ministry, and the Holy Innocents Chapel.
Mission Ministries
Holy Innocents Chapel
Eucharistic Chapel with regular celebration of Mass
Public Witness
40 Days for Life; a peaceful, prayerful presence on the sidewalk at abortion facilities to minister to women and couples obtaining an abortion.
Pregnancy Medical Clinics
To be the first place a woman goes to when facing an unplanned pregnancy, transforming their fear into confidence, by addressing their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs and equipping them to make life-affirming choices.
OB/GYN Center
Catholic health initiative providing comprehensive obstetric and gynecological care with NaProTechnology and FertilityCare, education, and support.
Our History
In the 1980s, Brother Mathias Barrett (founder of the Good Shepherd Center and the Barrett Home for unwed mothers in Albuquerque) started a ministry to pray in front of abortion facilities in Albuquerque. The ministry became known as “Project Life” and was devoted to offering pregnant women help and alternatives to abortion.
In 2006, Fr. Stephen Imbarrato revived the ministry and worked with a board of directors to rename and establish Br. Mathias’ legacy as Project Defending Life, a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization. Fr. Imbarrato dedicated the organization to educating New Mexicans about abortion and its impact on our families spiritually, physically, and emotionally. To help women who were at-risk for abortion, Fr. Imbarrato opened a pregnancy resource center in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Now located just 350 feet from Albuquerque’s Planned Parenthood abortion facility and under new leadership, Project Defending Life has become the epicenter of pro-life ministries that houses a pregnancy medical clinic, a sidewalk ministry, and the Holy Innocents Chapel. Our women’s center in Santa Fe also houses a Eucharistic chapel and is currently being transformed into a medical clinic as well as the hub of pro-life mission work for northern New Mexico.
Project Defending Life took over the operations of the Rio Rancho women’s center, formerly known as Origins, as of February 2023. Origins has been in operation for over 17 years as a resource center. Under PDL’s leadership, it will expand to a women’s center.
We are working with a devoted team in Gallup to open a women’s center later this year.
