Post-Abortion Healing
Catholic Family Services offers counseling and support for those seeking healing from an abortion
experience, including implementation of the Catholic-based post-abortion healing programs of Project Rachel and Rachel’s Vineyards.
Click for more information.
Our diocese had the privilege of hosting a workshop by Vicki Thorn, founder of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation
and Healing and Project Rachel. Click to view the entire workshop.
Understanding Abortion's Aftermath
(Excerpt taken from Project Rachel Website at www.hopeafterabortion.com)
Since 1973, there have been more than 36 million abortions in the United States.
While some women report relatively little trauma following abortion, for many, the experience is devastating,
causing severe and long-lasting emotional, psychological and spiritual trauma.
Evidence of post-abortion trauma is increasingly attested to by psychologists, counselors and those involved
in post-abortion ministry. We now know, for example, that women hurt by abortion may have some or many of the
following symptoms:
- Low self-esteem
- Grief (mild to profound)
- Depression (sometimes to the point of suicidal thoughts and attempts)
- A sense of alienation from family and friends
- A feeling of being 'numb,' not able to feel joy from activities that used to be pleasurable
- Isolating self from others to avoid discussing the abortion experience with them
- Guilt and shame
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anger toward self, or the child's father, or others involved in the abortion decision
- Sleep disorders
- Abortion-related nightmares, flashbacks or even sounds of a baby crying
- Alcohol and drug problems, to dull the sorrow
- Desire for a 'replacement' baby
- Anniversary reactions of grief or depression on the date of the abortion or the baby's expected due date
- Problems bonding with her other children (being over-protective but emotionally distant)
- Fear that God will punish her, or is punishing her
Some, especially young girls, experience symptoms soon after the abortion. Counselors tell us,
however, that it is more common for the symptoms to occur over the course of five to twelve years after the abortion before
a woman seeks help.
Abortion's aftermath is largely ignored by the general public. Groups organized to protect
the availability of abortion claim that abortion is no different from any surgical procedure and that pro-life groups
are fabricating the existence of post-abortion suffering. Consequently, many women think that their grief reactions are
somehow abnormal and believe that there is nowhere to turn for help.
Many women who have walked a path of grief and hopelessness after abortion, usually alone,
eventually begin to understand that they have a deep spiritual wound. But sadly, they also are likely to believe that they
have committed 'the unforgivable sin' and fear God's anger.
Women who have had an abortion often have many questions, the answers to which are indispensable
to beginning the healing journey. Can God ever forgive me? Can my child? Can I ever forgive myself? Will the Church let me stay
when I confess this sin? Will this horrible pain ever go away? Is healing possible?
The answer to all these questions is, of course, YES!
DISCLAIMER: The following website links are listed for your convenience.
The fact that a certain website is contained in this list does not in any way signify endorsement by the
diocese, as some websites may take positions in opposition to the diocese or the teachings of the
Catholic Church, or may display information that we feel is inappropriate. If you have any questions
about the websites contained in this list, please call us at 605-988-3755.
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Post Abortion Healing Resources
Elliott Institute
Research and testimonies on the aftereffects of abortion on mothers and a comprehensive list of psychological and physical complications.
www.afterabortion.org
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National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation & Healing
Founded in 1990, the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing, Inc. networks researchers and psychotherapeutic professionals working in the field within the U.S. and abroad, consults on the formation of post-abortion support services within secular and religious settings including Project Rachel, provides training for care providers, maintains a national "800" referral line for those seeking assistance in reconciling an abortion experience, publishes the International Post-Abortion Support Services Directory, produces and vends audio, video, and printed materials, maintains an annotated book list, tracks support group models, and sponsors the Healing Vision conference at Marquette University.
www.noparh.org
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Rache's Vineyard
Rache's Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.
www.rachelsvineyard.org
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The National Silent No More Awareness Campaign
The National Silent No More Awareness Campaign is an effort to make the public aware of the devastation abortion brings to women, men, and their families.
www.silentnomoreawareness.org
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