|
In the past year, there has been a pretty serious effort to mainstream the abortion experience and downplay the negative effects it has on women. In January 2007, New York Times Magazine ran a cover story by Emily Bazelon entitled “Is There a Post-Abortion Syndrome?” In that article Bazelon claims that the psychological risks of abortion are the same as those that may come with giving birth or dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. She rejects the need for healing after abortion, and associates it solely with those who have particular religious misgivings about "the procedure."
Ms. Bazelon's piece is deeply flawed. She cites only articles that favor her position, and she never considers the many peer-reviewed studies that show, time and time again, that abortion can have serious effects on women – both short- and long-term.
Despite what she may think, the testimony of countless women and men grieving their abortion losses tells us this truth: that the wounds of abortion go to the core of a woman, and that many men regret their lost fatherhood. For those women and men, life is never the same. As one woman put it on a post-abortion website, "It has burned a hole in my soul and changed me forever."
True peace after abortion cannot come from denying the need for healing. The spiritual and emotional wounds from abortion must be acknowledged and given over to God through wise counseling and, for Catholics, sacramental reconciliation. God is like the father in the story of the prodigal son. He eagerly awaits our return so that he might welcome us back, regardless of what we have done to offend him. No sin falls outside the scope of God's mercy, not even multiple abortions.
God's plan is to offer us the fullness of life through Jesus Christ. Just as a bride prepares to meet her bridegroom before they consummate their marriage, God wants to make us beautiful and pure so that we might come into the presence of his love without any trace of grief, regret or shame. There’s no room in heaven for tears.
This is the Good News.
If you or a loved one is grieving the loss of a child to abortion, you’re not alone. And you need not suffer alone. Project Rachel is the Catholic Church's outreach to those suffering after abortion. Call the nationwide referral line at 800-5WE-CARE (800-593-2273), or go to www.hopeafterabortion.org and click on the heading “Where to Find Help.” |
