By Tom Grenchik

For any of us who have joined in a Divine Mercy Chaplet a few times, the response is automatic.

We simply hear: “For the sake of his Sorrowful Passion…” and our lips are already responding with: “Have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

How consoling it is to embrace our Lord’s Divine Mercy and be confident in his forgiveness.  We know he will forgive any sin, if we are truly sorry. But for some, especially those who have lost a child to abortion, trusting in that forgiveness is not so easy. Even if they trust in God’s capacity and overwhelming desire to forgive them, they still often struggle with forgiving themselves.

Many in our culture are deeply wounded, including many Catholics who are in great need of God’s mercy and healing. Twenty-eight percent of women having abortions identify themselves as Catholic, which translates into as many as 10 million Catholic women affected by abortion. An equal number of men have been involved, even if the extent of their involvement was to abandon the woman on discovering she was pregnant. Then there are the grandparents, other family members, and friends who have also been affected.

The impact on our culture and our Church is far-reaching. Rare is the individual who has not encountered the trauma of abortion in the suffering of friends and family members.

Immediately after the 1973 Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion in our land, the U.S. bishops not only condemned that action, but they also prophetically called for the creation of post-abortion healing ministries as an integral part of the Church’s pro-life response.

Yes: being pro-life means being missionaries of mercy to those now suffering from a past abortion.

Project Rachel, the Catholic Church’s ministry to those who have been involved in abortion, is a network of specially-trained priests, religious, counselors and laypersons who provide a team response of care for those suffering in the aftermath of abortion. In addition to offering sacramental reconciliation, the ministry provides an integrated network of services, including pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, support groups, retreats, and referrals to licensed mental health professionals.

In a recent homily as chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Cardinal Seán O’Malley stated: “The Good News is that God never gives up on us. He never tires of loving us. He never tires of forgiving us, never tires of giving us another chance. The Pro-Life Movement needs to be the merciful face of God....” 

The bishops are firmly committed to extending that offer of God’s infinite mercy. To find information on the Church’s resources near to you or a loved one, visit HopeAfterAbortion.com or EsperanzaPosAborto.org. May these post-abortion healing ministries across the country bear much fruit in connecting hurting individuals to the merciful love of Christ.       

For the sake of his Sorrowful Passion….

Grenchik is executive director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Go to www.usccb.org/prolife to learn more about the bishops’ pro-life activities.