Millions of women have had abortion – some more than one.
This isn’t a happy fact. It is sad, horrible, sinful. But rather than condemn these women (and the men who were part of their story), we are called to forgive. There is no human failing that God cannot heal. And we must ask him to help us show mercy.
Keeping all that in mind, there are pro-abortion groups that sorely test my mercifulness. Recently moving to the top of my list of dark forces is “We Testify.”
The group sells clothing for women with bold slogans like, “I had an abortion.” And for men, tank tops that say, “I fund abortion.”
This rather shameless group encourages women who have had abortion to tell their stories. In my blunt terms, they want the women to brag about their abortions. They describe what there are about:
Every day someone chooses to have an abortion. We are not alone in this decision, however, due to stigma, we’re often made to feel isolated and shamed. Our stories remind us and those around us that we’re not alone. We testify as experts to our experiences. We testify that our spirituality and abortion are one. We testify on behalf of our communities and others who’ve had abortions across the country. When we speak out and share our stories, we demand to be counted.
I have a difficult time putting abortion and spirituality in the same breath. There isn’t anything spiritual about having an abortion – but I hope there will be spiritual help for those who have had abortions and want to recover. They have arrived at a moment that needs pity, not pride.
We Testify won’t heal the hurting; it will simply delay the time when the suffering are willing to experience real healing.
It is another attempt, in this case by this group, to reverse the moral values: to make look good what is evil. May Catholics and people who value life be able to distinguish the sheep from the wolf.