Pope Francis’s recent call for mercy and forgiveness for
women who have had an abortion has many people wondering at this seeming change
of Catholic Church policy. But as someone who has personally experienced the
lasting grief and regret of abortion and also found healing and hope through the
Church, I can assure you that Pope Francis is simply renewing the same message
of mercy that the Church has always offered: a message of repentance, confession
of sins, and restoration.
The new start that Catholics are blessed with each time we
confess our sins is just the beginning of the Divine Mercy of Christ that flows
from His Church. But sin has consequences, and the consequence of abortion is
the loss of your child. When that truth becomes clear, the hidden grief and haunting
regret of abortion can wreak havoc in a woman’s heart and soul. The day of that
loss is often burned into the memory, while unrecognized trauma may lead to
mental, emotional and physical problems. In my case, although I had been
forgiven, the wound in my heart remained, so I was deeply moved when I read “The
Gospel of Life” by Pope John Paul II and found a message that spoke directly to
me:
“I
would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The
Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your … painful
and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed.
Certainly what happened was… terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement
and do not lose hope … give yourselves over with humility and trust to
repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his
peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same merciful Father you can
with sure hope entrust your child. …As a result of your own painful experience,
you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life.”
(§99)
To know that the Church and the Pope recognized the wounds
of abortion and were reaching out to women who suffered silently meant so much
to me. I hope that, in the same way, women who hear Pope Francis’s invitation
will respond, and many who felt they could never confess the sin of abortion
will overcome their fears and find grace, healing, and forgiveness.
A few years after reading the Pope’s message, I learned
about Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats, a Catholic and Interdenominational Christian
post-abortion healing ministry. I attended a retreat and experienced profound
healing and peace. These weekend retreats, available worldwide, provide a small
group setting with others who grieve an abortion: a time to share our sorrow,
encounter God’s mercy through scriptural exercises, and receive spiritual and
psychological counsel.
Knowing the importance of overcoming the traumatic effects
of abortion and wanting others to find the same healing as I had, I later
volunteered with Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats, then in 2010 developed The Healing Light Retreat, a day-long Catholic
retreat based on the same principals. I encourage anyone who grieves an
abortion to take time for a healing retreat. Don’t be afraid to turn to Jesus
and let Him heal the wound in your heart.
For more information about healing the wounds of abortion, please visit:
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