A national group of Catholics supporting abortion rights has issued a public letter of support for a new abortion clinic opening in Omaha later this year.

Saturday's letter from Catholics for Choice takes issue with Omaha Archbishop George Lucas' opposition of the Planned Parenthood of the Heartland clinic, saying he's among a minority of Catholics against abortion.

Lucas issued a statement Tuesday condemning the clinic and calling for a prayer vigil at the site in north-central Omaha. The vigil was Saturday.

Catholics for Choice president Jon O'Brien in the letter calls Planned Parenthood's commitment to women a "model of social justice."

Planned Parenthood announced in June that the clinic would open late this year.

This article was distributed by the Associated Press.