Letter — Abortion: From darkness to light
With the legalization of abortion almost fifty years ago, our nation took a big step into the darkness of a culture of death. The tragic effects of this are many; one being the growing normalization of it and also the effect it can leave on mothers and families. This is the case with any sin; sadly, even one as heinous as taking the life of a child.
On the one hand, we have been living with the legalization of abortion for so long that our society seems to become accustomed to it. To many people, it has become acceptable. They reason that it is just another medical procedure.
On the other hand, I believe that many other people are beginning to see abortion for what it truly is, the direct killing of a human life. This conversion is happening in many ways. For one, through medical advances, we are able to know much more about a child before birth: how soon her heart begins to beat and how she can feel pain like anyone else. These facts are enlightening the minds of many medical workers.
Also, I know that because of the prayers of many, God is able to touch the minds and hearts of not only medical workers but also legislators who are enacting laws that protect human life. Legislators are, especially, hearing the voice of mothers who carry an imprint of a past abortion. In fact, it was because of the courageous testimonies of mothers who had abortions that led not only to the overturning of Roe vs. Wade but to the pro-life Indiana bill signed into law most recently.
A great tragedy is the pain a mother goes through after experiencing abortion. I want to say to those mothers…and fathers…and others who have cooperated in abortions, that they do not always need to feel this darkness. There is hope. The light of God’s presence is very healing. I say to anyone who has had an abortion or helped someone else to procure an abortion, God loves you, and his mercy is available to you.
I have spoken with women who have received tremendous healing after returning to God and, also, returning to the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Also, at Holy Family Parish, anyone can speak to a trained Stephen Minister on a regular basis to assist with healing, which is, of course, completely confidential. I am available as well, not to judge, but to listen, to talk, and to pray for God’s mercy. That can be done in an open way or with complete anonymity. The confessional room has a screen where I can’t see the other person. This room is not just for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but it is also a place where the priest can listen and pray. God’s Light and Love is stronger than anything. In this dark world, let’s allow his Light to shine in our society, on our families, and in our lives.
Father Jeff Read, Holy Family Parish
Hi Father,
What will your parish be doing to help mothers how now have to carry a baby to full term? Will your parish offer any post-birth support to mothers in dire need of it? I’m not aware of any programs currently.
To be blunt, I think your church will have to do something more tangible than the confessional.
By simply being against killing those children, the church is already doing more than many people. You say you’re not aware, have you looked into it? I’d agree that we could do better marketing it but there are many resources in Dubois County funded by local catholics helping new mothers with essentials. Including other financial support and counseling.
I searched and did not find anything offered by Holy Family. If you know of such programs would you be willing to share links or phone numbers? I know people in the area that could use such support. It would have been appreciated if Fr Read mentioned such resources offered by Holy Family.
In my opinion, being simply against abortion is an incomplete part of being pro-life and I’d like to see the same energy that was used to overturn roe-Wade now be applied to supporting infants and parents in difficult situations. I’ve been doing what I can privately. It would be nice to see an evangelical organization that happens to be among the wealthiest on the planet spearhead these kind of initiatives.
The argument that one is not pro life if they are not willing or able to financially support the baby and mother is ridiculous. I would not be willing/able to financially support all of the kids who were murdered in Uvalde TX, but that doesn’t make me a hypocrite for thinking that was a heinous act that ended the lives of completely innocent children. If you believe that the child is a human being, created by God, then yes, you have an obligation to protect and provide nourishment for him or her. You don’t have to “defend yourself” from the “parasite”, as Mary Louise said. With regard to rape and incest, most people agree that those are exceptions, and the victim should not have to give birth to the child. The issue is all of the abortions that take place when there was not rape or incest, and life of the mother is not in jeopardy. Inconvenience is not a valid reason for ending the life of a child.
You think providing support to your neighbors in need is ridiculous? I think there’s some pages missing out of your bible.
God called us to love and support our neighbors without exception. That you feel your only obligation is to your own thoughts and feelings on the matter and that you feel the no need to commit to any action is in my opinion a misguided view on faith. Maybe one that does more harm than good.
No, I don’t expect you to cut checks to struggling families yourself. But the writer of this letter gave a spiritual vow to provide such help and has the backing and resources of the Catholic Church to do so. I’m only asking what Fr Read is doing in addition to providing his reasoning on why abortion is a bad thing.
Believe it or not, I’m not interested in arguing online and trying to “win”. its all been done before, instead I’d like to provide visibility on how a group of people that need help can get help. And that they’d not be disrespected in doing so.
So “believer” I challenge you to donate diapers, formula, or any other items to an organization of your choosing. This is something I do regularly along with supporting people I know individually with young children who are struggling.
No informed and intelligent female would consider starting a family in this new era. The fallout will be planned pregnancies with complications that doctors will treat as “inconveniences” because they will fear legal consequences. Deaths caused by pregnancy will increase. Wait and see.
Matrix Lifeline Pregnancy is the first one that I’m aware of. Phone number is (812) 683-2111. Not sure what the other one is that Anthony is referring to but I believe there is one more. If you show up to the church and ask for help, I’m confident they’ll direct you to people who can help.
I was not aware of them. I’ll add them to my list of agencies I support. Thank you again!
Here is the list from the Arch Diocese of Indianapolis, which Holy Family is a part of, with support for southern Indiana.
https://www.archindy.org/criterion/local/2022/07-01/moms-resources.html
Thank you! It doesn’t seems the direct shelters and resource centers aren’t located in Dubois county unfortunately, but it is a start.
I think Fr Read letters would have been a fantastic place to advertise such services. I hope he does a follow up of what local resources are available.
” It would be nice to see an evangelical organization that happens to be among the wealthiest on the planet spearhead these kind of initiatives.”
Catholic Church absolutely spearheads these initiatives. No other organization comes close. Could they do more? Definitely, almost anyone can do more than they do but they for sure are already the leaders of that help.
Once again, are there any links or phone numbers I could potentially share to someone. I have three families I know of right off the top of my head.
If you try to search any of the churches in the area, including Holy Family, you only can find a number to the church itself. They might have a blanket message offering generic support but this can be intimidating for someone who isn’t sure if they have to be a member of the church or if they can provide the type of resources needed. Asking for help is hard enough as it is.
Hi Oscar, I’m not able to respond to your most recent response under my messages below so adding up here that I appreciate your discourse in this post. You appear to have come here in good faith and actually want to help regardless of where the law stands, which can’t be said for many in here. Thank you for that. I agree that many of those resources can be a challenge for many, hopefully with the help of people like you, we can keep growing that list so that there is more direct help that is easily accessible for all.
So how many of these unwanted babies are you personally committed to supporting or adopting? Or do you have excuses that you can’t?
“Unwanted babies”. Interesting. Do you think that “unwanted” toddlers should be murdered too? If you think that would be a crime, please explain the difference.
The difference is that unlike fetuses, toddlers are not parasitic humans who can cause permanent physical damage and even death to their host. There is no need to defend oneself from a harmless toddler.
Thank you, Father Read. We need your voice and your courage.
Thank you very much Father for taking the time to put forth the message.
You can believe life begins at conception; I don’t have a problem with that. BUT you shouldn’t force people to use their body to keep someone else alive. That is IMMORAL
You shouldn’t give a right to a fetus that NO other human has: the right to use someone else’s body without their ongoing consent.
You make a very probative point, Mary Louise. A person can’t even force a sibling to become a kidney donor or a heart donor or a lung donor.
I have never read a law that forces parents to donate blood to save their child. If a “procedure” as non-invasive as donating blood has never been legislated to compel a father to save his born son then why is it that some feel the law must compel a woman to donate her body and health for a minimum of nine months to give birth?
Probably because the woman decided to partake in the act that created that baby.
And yes, the father should be responsible as well.
How about women quit having sex with men that they couldn’t forsee being the father of their children? And how about men quit forgoing their responsibilities of raising the child they helped create?
I love how so many act as a child should be able to be discarded because they are dependent on their mother. Someone even calling a child a “parasite”. Sickening. As Steve said above, what’s keeping you people from allowing someone to murder a toddler? Newborns and toddlers are completely dependent on their parents.
It’s “immoral” to make a mother care for their child?! My God. What a world we live in.
You are aware that rape and incest are things that happen today, yes?
If you did not intentionally misrepresent what I said, you should consider taking a reading comprehension class.
The question Steve asked was already answered.
A baby growing inside his/her mother’s body certainly does not “qualify” as a parasite as referenced by Mary in the above comments…
Definition of a parasite
p?r??-s?t?
noun
An organism that lives and feeds on or in an organism of a different species and causes harm to its host.
One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.
One who lives off and flatters the rich; a sycophant.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
I value all life.
It may not literally be a parasite, but figuratively, it is a parasite. A parasite of the same species, so to speak.
I would just ask that men take responsibility for their actions. If a man refuses to help the mother to PAY towards THEIR child’s future, they would be forced to have an immediate vasectomy so they can no long contribute to babies being born without a dad or support.
Can i see a show of hands who would support this law?
Bottom Line: I thank God that i never had to make such a horrible decision in my life as to choose if my child lives or die. I cannot imagine. BUT….that should be up to me and my DOCTOR…..not a judge or any other politician. Why do men get away with rape or child molestation and are still able to have more children? They should be sterilized with no chance of fathering a child or procreating in any way. Men would be flooding the streets and insist that is illegal.
Putting a law in place does NOT stop abortions. It just forces young girls and women to search for an unqualified person willing to give her an abortion. Most times, taking the life of the baby and the life of the mother.
Its 2022…not 1950. Most humans realize that women are by far, the strongest and smartest of the genders. We don’t need ANYONE telling us what to do with OUR OWN bodies. I respect everyone’s different opinion but you need to let women make their own decisions when it comes to her body or i think it’s time to line up those men convicted of child molestation and rape. It’s time to remove his ability to father another child or even perform sexually.
And for those judges, who swore under oath, that they would not vote to overturn a law with such precedence for the past 50 years. Should they be thrown off the court for perjury?
Take your hands off my body…It should ALWAYS be the women’s choice!
Vasectomies prevent abortion.