The Church and Abortion

The immutable teachings of the Catholic Church on abortion reflect our understanding of natural law - it is wrong to kill. The Church is also resolute in her stance that there is no sin that cannot be forgiven. Women who have lived with self-condemnation and hopelessness for years are often astounded to learn that Jesus is anxious to welcome them back with mercy and forgiveness.

Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, expresses these sentiments in his encyclical The Gospel of Life: "I would 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 decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly."

"If you have not already done so, 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. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord."

"With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life..." (no. 99)

"...it is only the Author of Life who ultimately has the power to heal the loss of life. As individuals, we know we all abort God's will in one way or another each day. This should only serve to make us more compassionate toward those who struggle to come home to their church."
Rev. Michael Mannion  Post-Abortion Aftermath


"...Christians must refrain from condemning and judging the men and women who have been involved in abortions. Judging them will not free them from the shame and guilt they already feel. Instead, we must concentrate on sharing with them the hope of God's great mercy. To do this effectively, we must give them more than our words, we must give them our hearts."
David C. Reardon Ph.D.  Making Abortion Rare


"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
Mother Teresa
 

Contact