Nothing Has Devastated our Culture More than Abortion
Oct 24, 2004
(Cardinal’s Reflexions, February 2000) It's finally arrived: the Great Jubilee Year when we are all called to reconcile with others, forgive debts and deepen our faith. That seems like a very tall order for just one year. How could any of us accomplish all that?
The answer is simple: we don't have to do it alone. God, through His loving mercy, is there to help us. This Jubilee Year offers a wonderful opportunity for us to truly open our hearts to Christ and to let Him work through us, showing the immense power of His love and forgiveness. Let me give you an example.
Nothing has devastated our culture more than abortion. Everyone, even without participating directly, has been affected by this tragedy. More than 80 million parents, 160 million grandparents, and countless relatives have lost a child through abortion. It has broken families and ended relationships. But, perhaps its most devastating legacy has been the number of women and men it has estranged from Christ, from the Church and from themselves.
The pain of abortion has seared their hearts while the fear they can never be forgiven by God has seared their souls. I have seen the sorrow in their eyes when I’ve spoken about abortion. It is very difficult to stand before someone and know my words are evoking such pain. Yet, I pray that my words may also bring peace.
And that is because my message is one of Christ's love. Through Him, all can be forgiven. He is the One who truly can heal the spiritual wound of abortion and end the despair. He does not condemn. God wants nothing more than to break through the bondage of grief felt by those hurt by abortion with His healing gift of mercy. He is the message of reconciliation we are called to follow this Jubilee Year. One only needs to ask.
As Pope John Paul II writes in the Gospel of Life, "the Father of mercies is ready to give you His forgiveness and His peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will…be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord."
If You are Hurting from an Abortion
So, in this Year of Jubilee, I ask if you are hurting from an abortion you have had or have helped someone else have, please do not suffer alone, but seek out the mercy of Christ and be healed. If you do not know how to begin, I offer you the following suggestions:
1. Call Project Rachel (202-269-4673)
This confidential counseling and healing ministry serves anyone affected by abortion. Professional counselors, priests and caring staff are available to help you deal with your loss and grief, to help you learn to forgive yourself and to accept God's forgiveness.
2. Speak with your parish priest
Do not be afraid to call. You will not be judged, but loved. He will assure you of God's mercy and work with you to heal and be reconciled with your faith.
3. Attend a Mass for those affected by abortion
Several times over the next year, Masses will be held for those who have been wounded by abortion--mothers and fathers, grandparents, medical workers. Call 301-853-4555 for information.
4. Pray
Open your heart to Christ and seek his forgiveness. He will hear you.
Reaching Out to Those Who Have Been Hurt by an Abortion
Even if you have not had an abortion, it is likely you know someone who has been affected by one. After all, more 38 million have taken place in our nation since they were legalized in 1973. Therefore, during this Jubilee Year, I ask you to make a special commitment to reach out to the women and men hurting from the tragedy of abortion. Help them reconcile with themselves, with Christ and with their faith.
But how? I understand you may want to help, but aren't sure how to do so. Therefore, I offer the following "do's and don'ts" to assist you. I encourage you to keep this list handy throughout the year and to be ready whenever anyone reaches out to you:
1. Do listen patiently and be reassuring
It can be difficult for someone who has had an abortion to sort out feelings. Verbalizing them with someone who will listen helps. Be aware that fathers, or even a baby's grandparents, may feel guilt at urging an abortion. Perhaps they paid for the abortion or threatened to abandon the mother if the pregnancy continued.
2. Do not condemn
Remember that no matter what has been done, Christ, through the Church, can and will forgive once the abortion has been acknowledged and reconciliation has been sought.
3. Do not deny they lost a child; allow them to regret the choice and mourn their loss
We learn from the errors we make, even the serious ones. Encourage them to "let go" of the anger and hurt and to approach forgiveness.
4. Do encourage them to entrust their child to the care and love of God
5. Do offer Project Rachel's phone number (202-269-4673)
Encourage them to accept the help of post-abortion counseling or peer support groups. If you do not have Project Rachel’s number with you, promise to provide the number within a week, and then keep the promise.
6. Do offer your time or financial support to Project Rachel
You can make a difference in the lives of others.
And, finally,
7. Do pray
Through prayer, you can unite yourself with the thousands of women and men who are suffering from the emotional and spiritual pain of abortion. Ask the Lord to encourage them to seek His mercy and ask that He bestow His mercy upon those involved with an abortion.
Please be assured of my own prayers for healing and reconciliation. May this Jubilee Year be a year of hope and love.
Nothing Has Devastated our Culture More than Abortion