Abortion in our times affects people in all walks of life and in all stages of life. If you are interested in details about abortion and the many aspects of it, please see the Catholic Bishops page at the USCCB web site . In summary, here are a few excerpts and points of interest:
Pope Francis
How has abortion impacted our times?
After 44 years of legalized abortion in the United States, the death toll is over 59 million children. Because of repeat abortions, about 35 million women have lost one or more children to abortion. In addition, a roughly equal number of men have fathered a child who was then aborted. The grandparents of the deceased child or other family members are often involved, and they, too, may blame themselves for real or imagined failings that contributed to the death of a child.
Is abortion always wrong?
The Church teaches that human life is created and begins at the moment of conception. The Catholic Church sees abortion as the termination of an unborn life, and therefore, it’s always wrong, sinful, and immoral. The circumstances by which that life was conceived are considered irrelevant.
Is healing really needed?
The testimony of countless women and men grieving their abortion losses tells us that its affect are deep. The wounds of abortion go to the core of a woman. Many men regret their lost fatherhood as well. 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 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.
What if I’ve already had an abortion?
There are healing and support groups for women and men dealing with hurt from abortion, such as Project Rachael (St. Cloud area) and www.hopeafterabortion.org .