The “secret shame” of abortion in the church
by Kelli
Leaders in post-abortion recovery ministry say the church remains reluctant to fully face the impact of abortion within their own congregations.
[Post-abortion counselor Kathy] Rutledge said she once gave her testimony to a group of women at a megachurch in the South and by the end, several women were “practically bawling.” Yet, when Rutledge asked about doing a follow-up, the group’s leader said, “None of my women have had an abortion… and even if they did, they don’t need to be speaking about it.”
Nancy Kruezer, who serves as Chicago Regional Coordinator for Silent No More, said some pastors express fears that if they address abortion, it will “open the floodgates,” and they will be overwhelmed by wounded people. Others object because they say the topic is too political — or that discussing abortion might actually make it more acceptable.
But, Kruezer said these fears are unfounded and that women desperately need to talk about their abortions. As a result of her abortion 22 years ago, Kruezer said she suffered overwhelming fear, anxiety, and nightmares. These problems persisted for about 15 years until Kruezer finally confessed her abortion to her small group….
“Silence is a powerful weapon of the enemy,” Kruezer said. “It’s in silence that the truth remains hidden and that lies flourish… lies that justify the killing of unborn children, lies that say abortion doesn’t hurt people.”
… Our churches need to regularly communicate that they are safe places for women [who are post-abortive]. While we cannot whitewash the sin of abortion, we also can’t ignore those who at one time have had abortions and are suffering. We must let them know that Jesus’ blood covers all sin, including theirs.
~ Julie Roys, Christianity Today, February 25
[Photo via barefootpreachr.wordpress.com]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Like the woman at the well, Jesus would have met post-abortive women where they were at emotionally and offered them the living waters. Pastors should do no less. Rachel’s Vineyard is one such ministry.
The statistics are out there about how many women who self-identify as Protestant, Catholic, etc. say they had abortions. It is not unheard of. We all sin and are in need of redemption.
It needs to be done. Not every week, but often enough to matter.
A young priest was with our parish for a few years. He preached on abortion exactly three times, around the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Some of our young people made the trip to March For Life each year, so there was a proximate excuse to talk about abortion.
He told me that each time he spoke about abortion from the pulpit, there were some women who came to him for confession. He said it was an important opportunity for healing for those women…. and he said no more, of course. The Seal is sacred.
It was not “open floodgates” of wounded people. It was not a congregation of saints who did not need healing. It did not encourage abortion, the way that silence does. And it was not a manifesto of politics.
It was pastoral care, as all pastors should embrace as their duty to God and His flock.
One of my biggest frustrations is with churches that will not address this subject from the pulpit. They are robbing women and men of the healing they so desire.
“He told me that each time he spoke about abortion from the pulpit, there were some women who came to him for confession.”
Since more women than not are coerced to abort, where are all the confessing men?
“where are all the confessing men?”
I’m sure we’ll hear about them eventually.
Afraid of a few floodgates? Open them up, and let the healing begin!
“some pastors express fears that if they address abortion, it will “open the floodgates,” and they will be overwhelmed by wounded people.”
Man, the “overworked pastor” excuse really grinds my gears.
If they took some time with their wounded people…instead of engaging in work avoidance…they might instead find themselves awash in healed people. Like a good Shepard, healed people lift others burdens…it’s the wounded that hide and make excuses.
The floodgate that needs to open is the pastors own heart…until then the wounded remain overwhelmed…paralyzed by fear.
many women who self-identify as Protestant, Catholic, etc. say they had abortions – which would indicate they don’t see it as much of a ‘sin’. Or that they need ‘healing’.
Since more women than not are coerced to abort, where are all the confessing men? – data? Stats? Evidence? Anything?
Since more women than not are coerced to abort, where are all the confessing men?
Women suffer more from abortion than men do. Physically, emotionally, spiritually.
Men coerce, badger, abuse and manipulate women to abort. Maybe this doesn’t cause men to suffer.
I think men suffer on different levels. I remember a news story about a man whose girlfriend aborted their child and he took out a big billboard showing himself in the posture of holding a baby, but with the baby missing from the picture.
I believe men suffer on different levels as well, 9ek.
My point is we hear so much more about wome talking/confessing about the part they play in abortion. We hear about men who regret they didn’t do more to try and talk the mom out of aborting. We even hear from the converted abortionists.
We are not hearing from the men who intimdate, threaten, play games and abuse others to get their way. Those guys need to speak up and confess too. These are the guys running the show and who need to be weeded out and held accountable.