PULL THEM IN

January 22, 1973 is one of the darkest days in history. On that day, the Supreme Court legalized abortion and since its inception, one in three women have had at least one.

As I scan parishioners at Mass, I wonder: Is she one? What about her?

How many Catholic women sit in the pews, suffering in silence with guilt and remorse, having never confessed this transgression accept the Eucharist? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not condemning them. I understand.

Being involved in post-abortion healing, I have heard it time and time again. Fear of disclosure through the sacrament of reconciliation great. Thus, the consequences of taking communion in the state of mortal sin go by the wayside. Harboring “the secret” creates spiritual havoc and diminishes any joy of being in full concert with God.

What is the answer? What can we do as a Church community?

At some pro-life events, I have overheard people saying, along these lines: “How can a woman kill her child”. I’ve even heard it from key-note speakers. I am post-abortive and praise God, received healing, but hearing those denigrating remarks still hurts. What do you think it does for the woman still shrouded in secrecy?

Be cognizant of the one-in-three. As they say, “Speak out against the sin, not the sinner.” Let’s not push them further way from the confessional … PULL THEM IN. While fighting for the unborn, also acknowledge the spiritual and emotional struggles of post-abortive women. Proclaim the infinite mercy and grace of God and give them hope.