“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13

 

“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13

On this date, January 22^nd, we remember the tragic Supreme Court Decision from 1973, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion throughout the United States. Because of this ruling, countless number of children have been killed through abortion.  Since that day the church has called each diocese in the United States to observe “a day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through the act of abortion.”

The church clearly teaches that abortion is evil and, as Catholics, we are to reject it and are to protect human life from conception to natural death. The Catholic Church clearly teaches the following:

 

• Life Begins at Conception: The Church believes a human being exists from conception, possessing inherent dignity and rights, including the fundamental right to life

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• Grave Moral Evil: Direct abortion, defined as intentionally ending a pregnancy, is considered a serious violation of God's law, contrary to the commandment "You shall not kill".
• Unchangeable Doctrine: The Catechism states this teaching has been consistent since the first century and remains unchangeable. 

With that in mind, we are all called to help defend innocent children from being killed by abortion, while at the same time showing compassion towards women who may feel trapped in a situation that they have unfortunately found themselves in. We are never to condemn a woman who may have chosen to have an abortion, but rather we are called to show her God’s compassion and forgiveness.

To help prevent abortions, we can start supporting such groups that not only seek to protect the child in the womb, but to offer help to woman in crises pregnancies. One such group is the Sisters of Life, founded by Cardinal O’Connor in 1991.

From their website we read, “Entrusting ourselves completely to the Lord of Life, we commit our lives to the protection of human life and to the promotion of new life in Christ, acknowledging the goodness of every person, and sharing the gift of God’s abundant mercy with all those we meet.” The Sisters of Life offer to women in crisis pregnancy help and protection during their difficult situation, protecting not only the baby, but helping the mother through whatever difficulties they are facing because of their pregnancy. They also offer retreats for those who may have had an abortion but are seeking God’s love, forgiveness and healing. Having an abortion can be very traumatic for the woman who had one done. The Sisters of Life offer healing and God’s forgiveness.

As we pray for an end to abortion, let us pray also for all those who may be in a situation where they feel they have no other choice but to get an abortion. And let us pray for those who may have had an abortion and are looking for healing and forgiveness from God.