Thursday, January 22, 2009

On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade

John Paul II's words to women who have had an abortion:
I would now 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. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.


Read more here, and read all of Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, here.

3 comments:

Karen said...

That was absolutely beautiful! You are an eloquent writer Karen! And you write the truth. I hope that your writing will inspire those to look to God for comfort. He is always there and will always be there for all of His children. He knows what's in our hearts. If we are truly sorry, He will forgive us.

Karen Edmisten said...

Oh, Karen, please note that the words are not mine, but are from the wonderful John Paul II! I will never be as eloquent as he was, but I can help spread his compassionate, loving words.

Heather - Doodle Acres said...

Pope John Paul II's words are so beautiful. God longs to heal us from all our sins, and as a convert, I particularly appreciate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. God is good!!!