Abortion
“Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name” (Isaiah 49:1).
When Does Life Begin?
In 2017, the American College of Pediatricians stated, “The predominance of human biological research confirms that human life begins at conception—fertilization.” Dr. Keith L. Moore, a professor at the University of Toronto, wrote, “Development begins at fertilization when a sperm fuses with an ovum to form a zygote; this cell is the beginning of a new human being.”
In agreement with this scientific literature and out of care for the human person, the Catholic Church concludes: “Human life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person” (CCC 2270).
What Happens in an Abortion?
Abortion is the intentional taking of an innocent life in its mother’s womb. There are several procedures that can terminate the developing baby. There are no federal limits on how late an abortion can be performed. Depending on how far along in the pregnancy the mother is, abortionists will perform different methods of abortion and removal of remains. These include suction, dismemberment and extraction, and lethal injection and induced stillbirth.
Chemical abortion drugs (aka the abortion pill) ingested by a mother can effectively break down the uterus lining, cutting off the woman’s life support to the embryo. Thankfully, there are many cases in which the effects of taking the abortifacient can be reversed! Sometimes, botched abortions result in victims living to tell their stories. A case in point: Melissa Ohden survived an abortion and, despite initial health complications, has gone on to live a healthy, fulfilling life. If the abortion pill is taken, its effect can be undone.
Why Does a Woman Consider Aborting?
According to research from the Vitae Foundation, the abortion-minded woman is not focused on the preborn baby in her womb. Rather, her mind is preoccupied with a whole gamut of dynamics at play in her own life: self-identity, well-being, impact on her future, how the father or other family members respond to the news, and other variables.
Many pro-lifers focus on the reality that abortion takes a life. As a result, many women who are considering abortion perceive pro-lifers as not caring about the problems they face. It is our duty as Christians to minister to those around us in charity. A lack of charity from others can lead a woman to dismiss motherhood, which seems restrictive, as well as adoption, which seems filled with great uncertainty for child and mother alike. For more on research-based counseling, visit our Sidewalk Advocates for Life page. You can also take a stand for life by defending the Hyde Amendment, a law banning federal funding for abortion.
Is There Hope After Abortion?
Yes! In Scripture, God continually communicates His mercy and love, which reaches a historic climax in the Crucifixion. Jesus suffered so we might be forgiven our faults and not live with the guilt of sin. Many women and men are surprised at the problems they experience after abortion, which can include guilt, shame, depression, anger, anxiety, suicidal ideation, chemical/alcohol addiction, eating disorders, sexual disorders, and more. Project Rachel offers a network of specially trained priests, counselors, and laypeople who provide a team response of care for those suffering the aftermath of abortion. Hope and God’s mercy are available for those seeking peace and forgiveness. C.S. Lewis wrote, “If God forgives us, we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise, it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.” Once God forgives us, all is forgiven! Jesus beckons us: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Prayer to Adopt an Unborn Child
Born in El Paso, IL, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen was a U.S. bishop who grew up on a farm near Peoria. He was a scholarly priest who used the media (like radio and television) for evangelization. More than this, he was a man of deep prayer. He devoted an hour every day to praying in front of the eucharistic Jesus. One issue Sheen tried to shed light on and encourage prayer for was abortion and its end. Below is his Prayer to Spiritually Adopt an Unborn Child. Pray this devotion for the intention to save a baby’s life:
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I love you very much. I beg of you to spare the life of the unborn child I have spiritually adopted, who is in danger of abortion.
"...today millions of unborn children are being killed. And we say nothing. In the newspapers you read numbers of this one and that one being killed, this being destroyed, but nobody speaks of the millions of little ones who have been conceived to the same life as you and I, to the life of God."
– St. Teresa of Kolkata,
Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 1979
Options for Choosing Life
What are the alternatives to aborting? Here are a few options:
- PARENTING: Becoming a parent is always a big life change. With the challenges also come joys! Your child will surprise you! We have a whole page on pregnancy care resources including information on pregnancy care centers, which typically offer pregnancy testing, STI testing, and ultrasounds – and maternity homes, which offer new moms a safe place to reside during and after their pregnancy.
- PLACING A CHILD WITH A FAMILY: There are several options available to parents who are unable or unready to raise a child. Adoption is a legal transfer of parental rights and duties. While often depicted in a negative light, adoption can bring joy and peace to birth families, adoptive parents, and children alike. There are different kinds of adoption. For instance, you can choose open adoption, in which you stay in contact with your child, or closed adoption, in which you do not. You also have the option to personally place the child with a family of your choosing (direct placement) or seek adoption agency services. (You can learn more about adoption here.) A child can also be placed with a relative or other guardian, who would then be legally responsible for raising the child. To learn more about these adoption options, a good place to start is by contacting a local pregnancy care center.