 | Post abortion guilt is totally
unrelated to religious belief. Agnostics and the unchurched
have no less guilt about their abortions than their churched
peers. Further, grief and anger are equally crucial
components of post abortion trauma.
|
| Overwhelming research evidence
calls for similar ministry in every faith tradition. Post
abortion syndrome is not a uniquely Catholic problem.
|
| Working relationships can be
established with individual clergy and counselors in other
religions. Each faith tradition offers a method for
ritualizing forgiveness.
|
| Professional counseling linked
to spiritual reconciliation knows no denominational
boundaries, but the counseling must respect and understand the
faith of the client in order to speed healing.
|
|
The Pro Life Office
is the
Diocesan Resource Center for the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops' Project Rachel outreach program. Within the
Cleveland Diocese, there are priests and lay ecclesial ministers trained and willing to serve in
Project Rachel counseling for post-abortive men and women. The
Diocese
also has a professional clinical counselors list for those who
need their expertise.
Call 216-334-2966 and ask for Peggy. |
What
is Project Rachel’s foundation?
Jeremiah 31: 15-17
Thus says the Lord:
In Ramah is heard the sound of moaning,
of bitter weeping!
Rachel mourns her children,
she refuses to be consoled
because her children are no more.
Thus says the Lord:
Cease your cries of mourning,
wipe the tears from your eyes.
The sorrow you have shown shall have its reward,
says the Lord,
they shall return from the enemy’s land.
There is hope for your future,
says the Lord;
Your children shall return to their own borders.
(Mt 2:18 applies
this verse to the slaughter of the innocents by Herod,
viewing the massacre of infants as a guarantee of God’s action
to create the
new people of God through Jesus.)
Faith in the Lord’s
forgiveness and hope in the future. Offering them hope rooted
in God’s forgiveness is the first step to healing.
The important spiritual
component is the walk to the forgiveness of God.
The following websites provide information on this topic:
Hope After Abortion
www.hopeafterabortion.com
It is normal to
grieve after an abortion. This site provides information and
resources to help those who are hurting psychologically. Also,
locate any Project Rachel program in the United States.
Read the following article on Post
Abortion Healing:
