Lay movements XII: post-abortion trauma. (Second Chance Ministries).

Many women experience distress after having an abortion, sometimes many years after. It may be shame, regret, grief, pain, mourning, denial, or a sense of divorce from God, or it may show itself in eating or sleeping disorder, flashbacks, or nightmares. A typical true history is described here by Margaret:

Margaret

"One winter Sunday, in our church bulletin there was a notice: If you feel guilty or depressed about an abortion you have had or encouraged someone to have, help is available at Second Chance Ministries. You can talk to Mrs. Angelina Steenstra or Father Vince Heffernan at [phone].

"I clutched that bulletin, my heart cramped, I couldn't breathe. It was amazing how reading those words caused a strong physical reaction in my body. Yes, I was suffering from depression but could that secret, the abortion from 23 years ago, be such a contributing factor? No other counselling I had attended over the past years had focused on that topic. Why was such a topic in a church bulletin?

"It took me two weeks to call, and that's the best thing I have ever done. In a Christian environment with two caring facilitators under the umbrella of the Catholic Church, I could listen to other women journeying through similar turmoil. I could safely reveal my secret. Thus began my journey of being able to admit to having had an abortion, to finally acknowledge my child, to own up to the responsibility of what I had so coldly done, and to learn that factors from my childhood and society had contributed to the course of my actions. The feelings I had now being squashed, I felt I could now love Marissa.

"What a relief to confess this burden and leave it at Jesus' feet. Yes, Jesus forgives me but first I had to face up to what I had done and feel the pain. I must now learn to forgive myself. God is showing me that all along I was looking for love in all the wrong places and that I had learned quite young not to trust anyone. That lack of trust has cost me so much. I am learning to trust God. I pray that I will be able to discern and to turn away from the wily deceits of the Devil and diligently keep on the path of God's love.

"Thank you, Jesus for dying on the Cross for my sins. Only through your great love and sacrifice am I able to receive forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.

"I am thankful for the ongoing guidance of Father Heffernan and Mrs. Steenstra. Through their faith and strong calling to offer this support group, to provide a safe and strictly confidential environment, as well as one-on-one sessions, I am able to work through my fears. I have been offered hope. My knowledge of and my love for the Catholic Church have blossomed too.

"I am thankful also for the courageous people who have gone to Second Chance Ministries before me and have made up my support group. Some attended for a short while. Many returned when issues resurfaced or they needed comfort within the group. God is with us and we are no longer alone in our despair. He has given us a light in our darkness. We are all learning to walk towards that light.

"I pray for God's guidance and blessing for this mission and the people involved. I believe the Lord is planting seeds, providing nourishment and strength, with a wonderful outcome in mind for this world.

"I should add some background information. Second Chance Ministries was founded in 1990 as an outreach to men and women who have experienced the trauma of abortion, what is commonly called post-abortion syndrome. Second Chance seeks to provide help for all who are suffering from the aftermath of abortion, through one-on-one counselling, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and referrals if necessary. It offers support by listening, by helping the person deal with anger, guilt, depression, etc., and by addressing the root cause of abortion. By dealing with these feelings through a process of self-disclosure, the person can move into an area of reconciliation with the child's death and into freedom.

"Because of this ministry and its being advertised in the church bulletin, I received my second chance to begin the process of making my life right with God."

Though Second Chance Ministries exists only in Toronto, there are several Canadian dioceses and Crisis Pregnancy Centres which offer help in this matter. There is also an international organization, Project Rachel, which began in Milwaukee in 1984 and which exists now in 130 of the 165 United States dioceses, in Australia and Portugal, and in five Canadian dioceses, including Calgary and London. Project Rachel is named in connection with chapter 31 of the prophet Jeremiah, where Rachel, the wife of Jacob (Israel), is pictured as the House of Israel weeping for its missing children, taken away into exile. Project Rachel provides counselling and retreats.

Information about Second Chance Ministries may be obtained from Father Heffernan at the phone number above or by writing him at 1685 Kingston Road, Scarborough, ON, N1M 1M4. For Project Rachel, see its website at <http://www.marquette.edu/rachels/projectrachels.html> Or phone Calgary diocese at [phone] (in Calgary) or 1-877-597-3223 elsewhere, or write to 120 - 17th Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB, T2S 2T2.