I have real concerns about the attitudes of anti-abortionists – the extremist use of language and action that is suggestive of what would have happened to the woman caught in adultery before Jesus got in the – but Jesus did get in the way and theose people had to look back at themselves. If we are so condemning what will it matter what any of us do – we will always be judged unforgiveable for something. That’s not Christlike is it. Abortion takes in the whole community, as Sister says, upbring, media, family, expectations and ‘accidents’ – the more supportive we are the less abortions may take place, but they will never, never take place and what then? We still need to love and care for whoever needs our care and support. We need to be mature in our faith, a faith that does not see things in black and white. How can you love and condemn in the same breath?

In the early 70′s my two roomates and I were asked by a friend who was also an IHM religious if we could make a spare room in our rented home for women needing a place to stay after their deliveries. “Do you think our place is the best environment for a new Mom and her baby?,” we chorused. Said she, “Why not? It’s full of life.” And so one of the most fulfilling life expereinces for all involved began. Sr. Bernadette, I salute you! Yes – if we want to create the culture of life – we must love more deeply and put more of our own daily lives into the mix. This is a wonderful article. Thanks be to the Jesus of Compassion.

God bless you, Sr. Bernadette! An excelent article. I pray for a wide,wide circulation.Thank you so much for writing this article! Sharon

Thank you Sr. Bernadette for such a compassionate article. I pray we all find ways to help our families, friends and neighbors who have faced abortion, are currently facing abortion and those who may face it in the future.

Sr. Reiss,
I know that just the word ‘abortion’ can make many people run for cover and so many people want to ‘soften’ the actual ‘political’ rehtoric. However, while I was involved, as a mentor, with a group to help post abortion women, I had a reoccuring situation with the women I was helping. They all had went to Confession, if they were Catholic, or sought forgiveness in their way, but none of them had the feeling of forgiveness within them nor did they feel that they could ever be forgiven. Thus, they asked me for my advice. I told them my understanding of Confession as I learned it from the Sisters who taught us pre Vatican II. These women were glad to hear the ‘bold’ truth of what they had done, why the Church teaches such, and what they need to do to move forward. Funny, no one had told them that they committed a mortal sin, which would surely take them from God’s grace and that they probably would need to find a way to do ‘penance’, maybe for the rest of their lives if God so asks. (I am not talking about self flagulation either) ALL of them were very happy that I told them ‘the truth’ and wasn’t trying to stop the bleeding ‘artery’ with a band-aid. We must call it was it is and not back away from being truthful. Abortion is the deliberate taking of a human life and we can’t call it anything but that.

Also, Sr. Reiss, as I was involved with the Pro life/pro active groups within my Church, I was very surprised, and disappointed, to Not see any Nuns working within these groups, even though they were part of the Church. Can you imagine if every parish had a Sister who headed up the Pro life/Pro Active committee who directly supported these helpful ministries?!!! What a tremendous example it would be to see a habit wearing Nun who was tireless in her devotion to help women and their babies! Think of the positive example it would be for these unwed mothers to see a Sister devoted to her vocation. Maybe they would be influenced to become devoted to their vocation of being a mother, but first a wife! Sacrament leading to Sacrament? I think so.

I don’t think abortions have risen to the level they have because our views are less “compassionate” than before. In fact, you might argue the exact opposite. In my opinion, Church-folks and religious leaders have never been less condemning of behavior and choices, yet the out-of-wedlock rate remains at the outrageous rate it is — with each 5% spike or drop causing consternation or celebration.

I think the Sister is wrong in her prescription, just like I think she mis-diagnoses the problem. I am all for merciful interventions at the point of pregnancy, but pregnancy and abortion are intimately connected to the status of the family. The family is in serious trouble, which results in all kinds of dysfunction: drugs, sex (and pregnancy), suicide, experimentation, and the like. I don’t suspect what the Sister describes would much affect the abortion rate, anymore than emphasizing adoption seems to have appreciably affected it — though it has tremendously helped, to be sure; in fact, I suspect these efforts would probably have the opposite effect of what the Sister thinks might happen: pregnancy and abortion rates would likely increase. The sister discussing abortion without mentioning sex and marriage makes about as much sense as the recent report on the Ft. Hood shooting failing to mention Islam or Jihad.

There is a pronounced social/familial/spiritual collapse or void present right now, one that people are trying to fill by the physical intimacy of sex or the physiological rush of drugs. People aren’t doing drugs because churches aren’t offering supportive services and rehab; it is happening because people are broken, bored out of their minds, or the like. That’s the point needing address, not after the fact.

We’ve never been more compassionate and ready to help pregnant folks and the drug addicted, yet the rates are where they are. I suspect what we construe as the compassionate act may not always be.

There are so many people who are already working at the parish level to assist women who are pregnant and in crisis (perhaps we could work on NOT saying “crisis pregnancy”? Pregnancy itself is not a crisis, but the circumstances and emotional difficulties the pregnant woman finds herself in are) through the Gabriel Project. Additionally, the Sisters of Life (founded by John Cardinal O’Connor) render assistance through the Visitation Mission. After they receive a phone call and/or visit from a pregnant woman who needs help, they turn to a database of over 8,000 lay men and women, who have “signed on” to provide all types of assistance, in order to aid a woman in a tough situation with “practical compassion.” They offer to provide whatever they can, according to their means, e.g., a place for the woman to live; or professional help to find work or write a resume; to help drive her to doctors’ appts.; to be able to help her mov; arranging for a transfer from one college to another, etc. Last year alone, the Sisters and ther Co-Workers assisted – physically and spiritually – over 800 women. People are so eager help, they only need to be asked!

“The latest Gallup Poll conducted between May 7 and May 10, 2009, found that for the first time since this question was first posed in a Gallup Poll in 1995 more Americans (51 percent) consider themselves to be ‚Äúpro-life‚Äù than ‚Äúpro-choice‚Äù (42 percent) with respect to the abortion issue.”

That same poll found that 52% of Catholics call themselves pro-life. Why is that?

I am encouraged by the comments posted here. It is good for us to hear each others’ points of view. I hope that just as each of us would like our points of view to be taken into consideration, that each of us will also consider other’s points of view.

It is true there are many people who have personally gotten involved in helping women choose life for their unborn children. They have founded and funded crisis pregnancy homes where women can find shelter while awaiting the birth of a child. Some find themselves drawn toward sidewalk counseling, adopting children, volunteering, donating supplies and money, etc.

However, what I am advocating at the parish level is a go-to person that teens/women can go to when they are contemplating abortion, not the head of the pro-life committee who coordinates the walk-a-thon, and donations to the local crisis-pregnancy center. These are two very different roles. I personally have never seen the role of the former listed in any parish bulletin. I would be very interested to know of any parishes that currently list such a contact in their parish.

Despite the remarkable work of so many who are already providing for many women, there are thousands of others who are slipping through the cracks. My heart goes out to them and I ask myself–how can we reach them? and Why aren’t they turning to us for help? For so many of these women, the only knowledge they may know of the “Pro-life” movement is the pictures they see of “Pro-life” events in the media. Most of the signs carried in these “pro-life” events are what I call “anti-abortion” signs. Perhaps this is what Mairie was alluing to in her comment. In other words, they are signs that condemn abortion. What if the majority of signs at a pro-life rally were actually pro-life? These signs might say how we want to help, are ready to help, that we love the women who have to make a very difficult decision and that we hope she considers coming to us….

In presenting the Church’s position on abortion, I believe that people deserve to hear the Church’s message in its entirety. That teaching does include that abortion is taking the life of a human being. But doesn’t the Church also want women to know that we are here to help them find alternatives? It is the last part that is missing from the sites that I explored on the internet.

I also think that Winnie’s comment is worth considering: “Equal Justice for women as well as everyone being involved in the care and nurturing of mother and child from conception until whenever, would help make abortion much less of an option than it is.” The birth of a child along with all that goes with it is a large responsibility. In our society, so much of that responsibility is placed on the mother. If those women contemplating abortion knew that they had a network, a community, “everyone being involved in the care and nurturing of mother and child from conception until whenever” that might lift a huge burden off of the mother. How could this movement toward “everyone being involved” play itself out in our families, in our parishes, etc.? Any ideas?

As with every problem, there are many possibilities as to why a problem is occurring.
In the Bible it even says, “the poor will always be with you.”
The challenge we are given by Christ himself is, “what you do for the least of my brothers and sisters you have done unto me.”
We have all heard the call for help. So all possibilities as to why set aside, what is our roll in responding to the call for those in need? This is where prayer and God’s guidance will lead you to aid in our brother’s and sisters needs to be met. For my husband and I it was the taking in of a mother and child.
We have too many analysts trying to justify or prove one way or another how to eliminate situations. How will you become an instrument of God’s love? Love is an action verb not an analytical one. “Here I am Lord. It is I Lord. I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if you lead me…”

Wonderful article and thought-provoking comments. “Anti-aborttion” does not equal “pro-life” esp. when it comes to elected officials. Mike- your comments make you sound like a bit of a misogynist.

I am wondering what performing abortions does to those who do them (the doctors and the nurses)? Does it effect them psychologically or spiritually? I would be interested to know if any study been done on this question.

What is needed is a change in the message.

Issues of childbearing and sexuality go to the core of our identity as men and women. Teaching values is not sufficient. The tone with which they’re taught is even more important. There is so much in Bible that teaches one to turn to the highest. Why not emphasize that? If all someone hears is sin in all it’s permutations and how broken and flawed they are how can anyone expect them to behave differently? Maybe if we all spent more time teaching our children not simply to avoid sin because of some terrible fate (or, as you had mentioned, because the family/church/God will ostracize you) but what God believes is possible for us, what our true value is and what love is… and LIVE by that example will this (or many of society’s ills) change. Only when we remember that not one of us is perfect and actively practice compassion and forgiveness will women not shudder when they walk by a church. If they feel that they will find a sanctuary and support, they just might walk in and open their hearts rather than run.

Sister, your response to Jim is interesting, this idea of “biological distance”. There may be some truth to that, but if gender roles are strictly enforced, then how can one expect a man to ever understand or bond with their wives lives? I’m not calling for men to emasculate themselves, but perhaps if we as women invited the boys and men in our lives into our sphere a little (especially when they’re young), perhaps that “bond” could happen. Maybe with that new perspective, men could understand more fully the need for a kinder, more hands-on approach to preventing through loving teaching (and, failing that, supporting those in trouble) such difficult, emotionally wrenching situations like this.

unfortunately you are GRAVELY mistaken in your logic. Just as “lawmakers” create laws….those laws put into place have a grand effect on the “culture” and thinking, as well as practice of its people. You show to have very little understanding on this reality.

Catholics must always promote pro-life laws, and the best way to promote PRO LIFE LAWS is to vote for pro life politicians. Those politicians, although may not do much in the area of fixing this EVIL Law of legalized abortion, we as a culture must continue to do all we can to overturn that disgusting immoral law that is promoted on this land and defended. We must do that, as well as build the culture of life through support centers…all that is happening and must continue to be enhanced and supported.

To basically think that “voting for a pro life politician in the past shows that it does not really do anything to stop abortions” Is such a lukewarm way of understanding. Statistics or not. The Law of this land cannot allow a mother to murder her own child. The politicians need to be on that page…..and if they are not, you will only get Lawmakers who continue to corrode the law of the land.

WAKE UP!!

I am of the opinion that abortions in this country could be greatly reduced if pro-lifers made a concerted effort to understand the demographic of women seeking to obtain abortions, and provided alternatives that met women’s real lives and circumstances, instead of just urging them to “give your baby life” or “put it up for adoption.”

What do I mean by this? I think that a woman’s decision to have an abortion runs much more deeply than “I don’t want my life to change, or to have to sacrifice one little bit.” First, it should probably be noted that abortions occured prior to Roe v. Wade and that worldwide, half of the 40 mil+ abortions each year occur in countries where the practice is illegal. So should our main focus above all else be changing the laws? The fact remains that women as a gender continue to be treated unequally not just under our society’s laws but in the eyes of the church.
Some examples of inequality that I find unconscionable:

-That a single mother and sole financial provider of three children might be paid 76 cents on the dollar compared to a man with the exact same job, and on top of that her daycare expenses may eat up close to half of her salary.

–That a pregnant woman without insurance would have to pay full price for all medical services if she carried to term because her pregnancy would be seen as a “pre-existing condition” barring her from obtaining private insurance. Which do you think is within reach financially for a woman earning minimum wage…an abortion, or seven months of pre-natal checkups, a c-section and a four day hospital stay?

–A single pregnant woman who decided not to abort might be facing homelessness because she lives in a country (the US!) that doesn’t legally require paid maternity leave and she doesn’t earn enough to be able to miss work for six weeks and still make rent. I know because I was once in this exact situation.

–The government provides a free education to pregnant teens, but if they decide to have their babies they have to drop out of school anyway–to work–so they can afford to pay for, among other things, daycare, which is far from free.

And my personal favorite, that a woman (even a minor child) could be condemned and excommunicated by the Catholic church for undergoing an abortion, but the men involved can be forgiven of their sins that led to the circumstance (even if their sins range from mere pre-marital sex all the way to rape or incest).

We need to be sensitive to the fact that for far too many women, an unplanned pregnancy doesn’t just change her life but effectively ends it in many countries uncluding the US. Ends her chance for an education, significantly limits lifelong job opportunities, effectively condemns her to a life of financial instability and bad credit…those are best case scenarios. In the worst cases she faces life-threatening scenarios during pregnancy and childbirth, especially if she lives here in the US which ranks 36th in the world in terms of maternal mortality rates (where country #1 has the fewest deaths in childbirth). There’s a statistic you don’t hear often from pro-lifers trying to scare women into not having abortions. I’d hope everyone would agree that the way to provide real women with the opportunity to make choices other than abortion is to start fixing all of the above problems, as opposed to just focusing on installing pro-life candidates or closing down abortion clinics.
I applaud Sr. for pointing out that we need to focus less energy on condemnation, legal loopholes and scare tactics,and focus more on meeting women face to face and providing real solutions to them in the midst of their struggles. Wow, sounds like something Jesus would do.

Most American citizens only make political decisions once every two years. (Twice, if they’re active enough to vote in primaries.) It takes nothing away from our obligation to make those decisions correctly to say that the political domain is not the only place we can act.

We are indeed obligated to choose correctly when called upon to make a political choice. A vote in an election for any office with any prospect of authority over abortion in any regard must necessarily be considered as a vote to either curtail the holocaust or to extend it. No other political question before an American voter can possibly be as grave as that.

But elections only happen every other year, and an individual voter’s contribution to their outcome is almost always negligible. Whereas we have opportunities every day, as individual Christians, to make a positive difference in the lives of other individual Christians.

You and I almost certainly can’t stop abortion by ourselves. But we can often prevent a woman contemplating an abortion from going through with it, by showing her a better way, and by helping with the worldly concerns which may lead her to such contemplation.

And if we have such an opportunity and decline to take it, we’ll surely be called to account for it during out particular judgment, just as we would if we were to put lesser concerns ahead of the sanctity of life in the voting booth.

Even in the present legal climate, with hot and cold running abortions on-demand 24/7 and a substantial part of the culture devoted to keeping it that way, we can still save lives by helping individual women to choose not to kill their children. And unlike the political method, we can do it right here, right now, with nothing but the Grace of God and our own willingness to roll up our sleeves and do our part.

I don’t know if Sr. Bernadette’s specific proposal is the best one, but it might be a good start, and it certainly represents the right sort of thinking about what we as Christians ought to be doing in between our biannual opportunities to make the legal system listen to us.

I am new to this site and this is the first article I have read. I am not currently a practicing Catholic but I am looking to find a way to reconnect. I am disturbed by a number of the comments here as I see some major flaws and double standards in regard to the pro-life movement in general. The major one is that many seem to be vocally against abortion yet are noticeably silent when it comes to issues like capital punishment, or voluntarily serving in the military. Why select which form of murder is more “sinful”? Also, as someone who has worked with abused and unwanted children, I have experienced what happens to children who spend their childhood in the system. Along with protesting abortion, it would be balanced to see as much effort put to funding and supporting these children who were spared abortion but suffer a living hell on earth. Where is the commitment to them? Why are so many of the women and doctors currently involved with the abortion process treated with such vitriolic wrath on the part of “pro-lifers”? If the whole point is to save lives, wouldn’t more women be convinced to try other alternatives to abortion if they were treated with love and Christian charity rather than being vilified? After all, I thought the whole point was to save lives, rather than to condemn the “sinner”, yet it appears that more energy is spent on the latter.

First, I should note that I have not been a practicing Catholic for many years, and that I don’t intend to be again, and also that I am a pro-choice feminist. I realize I am not your target demographic, and that I’m very late to this conversation, but I’d like to point out that, in my view, being “pro-active” on the issue of abortion implies doing things to prevent abortion from being necessary.

Frankly, I am perplexed that Catholics are against pre-marital sex, contraception, AND abortion–if we look at the world in a practical manner, isn’t it obvious that we can’t stop young, unmarried people from having sex? Most people don’t practice abstinence until marriage, and I think Catholics and other religious groups need to accept that in order to productively contribute to preventing unplanned pregnancies and abortions. In order to do that, shouldn’t Catholics encourage that contraception be taught alongside abstinence?

Obviously abstinence is the most effective form of birth control, but if we want to prevent abortions from happening (which even I, as a non-religious pro-choice feminist would like to see), we ought to say “you should probably wait to have sex, but in case you do have sex, these are some options to prevent pregnancy and disease.”

I hope this is not read as an attack, because I certainly believe taking on this issue at all is brave of this site, and I am only aiming to bring another perspective to the discussion. I hope my points are not entirely lost on you. If there are less unintended pregnancies, there will be fewer abortions, and I think we would like to see fewer of those.

A large proportion of abortions result from failed contraception. Broken or improperly used condoms, forgetting to take a pill, etc. have all attributed to the rise of abortion.

Contraception use is at all-time highs, yet a record 42 million abortions occurred this year.

God bless you for sending a message of compassion… for sending a message of hope and of saving lives one soul, one person at a time. Excellent article!