Choose Life.

http://www.petitiononline.com/farhbill/petition.html

Today, Good Friday, we receive the greatest gift of life, for our salvation. 

As we receive life today, so should we fight and give light for LIFE. 

Please join the petition "Families Against RHBill".  

http://www.petitiononline.com/farhbill/petition.html

What the RH Bill is not

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - The Reproductive Health Bill is not what it purports to be. It is not about reproductive health rights. It is not about women's maternal health. It is not about preventing infant mortality. It is not about responsible parenthood. Nor is it about poverty alleviation.

The RH Bill is in fact a tyranny of half-truths. This Bill, which has gone through so many permutations and attempts to be passed, is a melange of obfuscations and inadequate information.

Efforts to ram it down our throats through apparently tainted media coverage, through surveys that ask leading questions, and through taking advantage of general ignorance of the substance of the bill, not to mention apathy of fence-sitters, is perhaps the reason why it is vaunted that the RH Bill is the best thing that could ever happen to the Filipino family and nation.

Let's start by considering the premise on which this bill rests. An early title of the bill said "Reproductive Health and Population Development Act," which in its present "consolidated form" now has been revised to include "Responsible Parenthood" in the title, hijacking this very proper term to dissimulate and thus appear to indeed be for everyone's good! Its view of development is very narrow, averring that the Philippines is overpopulated, and only by lowering the birth and fertility rates will this country finally burst out of its mire, and alleluia! We become a first world country!

In the first place, the Malthusian (and its other manifestations) population argument has already been shot to pieces, with most of the developed world in fact facing a demographic winter, threatening the prospects of these economies over the long term. Picking up a quotation from an article by former Secretary of Finance Roberto de Ocampo, he said that according to some researches, "in order for a culture to maintain itself for more than 25 years, there must be a fertility rate of 2.11 children per family. With anything less, the culture will decline. Historically, no culture has ever reversed a 1.9 fertility rate." Is this what we want for the Philippines?

Regarding its claim to provide the "right to complete information" particularly about contraceptive options: the advocates completely forget to inform women about the health risks of hormonal contraceptives. The World Health Organization itself has classified these as bringing about the risks of cancer, particularly breast cancer, in their WHO/IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) Report wherein it was found that hormonal contraceptives do cause cancer. At least, let the women know the risks!

It's the same with other contraceptive devices, such as the condom. It has been found that these do not prevent pregnancy from occurring, nor has it been proven that it protects against AIDS. Moreover, failure of contraception eventually leads to abortion, which while it is claimed that the bill has taken note of the fact that abortion is illegal, the effect of failed contraceptions is an implicit support of abortion.

Another obfuscatory provision hidden in the bill are the punitive sanctions that are, if truth be told, attempts to curtail the Filipino's civil liberties: obligatory requirements for medical health practitioners to actively promote artificial birth control without regard for their consciential rights, for example, if they in conscience cannot do it themselves, they are obliged to refer to someone else who don't have the same misgivings. And hey, there are even sanctions for "criticizing" the bill (if passed).

The bill, while pretending to be for the benefit of the Filipino and the family, overreaches itself. Why is it taking over areas best left to the decision of the Filipino married couple, such as whether they want to have children or not, such as their right to educate their children on matters related to sex and morality. The State should govern, and not meddle in the Filipino individual's decision.

A key principle in corporate governance is that the Board should govern, and let Management take care of the micro aspects of business.

Another hidden provision is to consider contraceptives as "essential medicines," which effectively means that there is no need for bidding nor for COA restrictions. As far as I know, no other medicine has been declared "essential"...(and I do have a quarrel with calling contraceptives as "medicine" because pregnancy is not a disease!) This provision thus leads to the use of tax money on what many citizens consider offensive to their beliefs - is this not a devious way of allocating money which have been paid into the government's coffers by a majority of Christian taxpayers?

Let me repeat. The RH bill is not about reproductive health. It is not about giving women a choice. It is not about poverty alleviation. It is not about the Filipino and his family. It is about state control.

merci.suleik@gmail.com

MARCH. PRAY. RALLY FOR LIFE ON MARCH 25,2011(DAY OF THE UNBORN)

MARCH. PRAY. RALLY FOR LIFE!

With inspiration from the clarion call to defend life and the family made by His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales on 14 March 2011, we wish to invite you to join us in an interfaith rally and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the Feast of the Annunciation and the Day of the Unborn on the 25th of March 2011, 4:00 PM at the Quirino Grandstand.

This mass demonstration of conviction and faith has also been endorsed by multiple sectors as a call for unity to stand against the societal iniquities that endanger the dignity and sanctity of life. In particular, the march and rally will be the prolifers’ grandstanding of opposing force against the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill.

We encourage everyone from all ages, social classes, and religions to stand up for life via this event. Come up with some eye-catching banners and slogans for the rally. Bring candles during the prayer sessions.

For assistance in mobilization and assembly for the marches, kindly contact the Pro-Life secretariat at 733-7027 or at 734-9425.

MARCH. PRAY. RALLY FOR LIFE ON MARCH 25,2011(DAY OF THE UNBORN)

  MARCH. PRAY. RALLY FOR LIFE!

 

With inspiration from the clarion call to defend life and the family made by His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales on 14 March 2011, we wish to invite you to join us in an interfaith rally and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the Feast of the Annunciation and the Day of the Unborn on the 25th of March 2011, 4:00 PM at the Quirino Grandstand.

 

This mass demonstration of conviction and faith has also been endorsed by multiple sectors as a call for unity to stand against the societal iniquities that endanger the dignity and sanctity of life. In particular, the march and rally will be the prolifers’ grandstanding of opposing force against the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill.

 

We encourage everyone from all ages, social classes, and religions to stand up for life via this event. Come up with some eye-catching banners and slogans for the rally. Bring candles during the prayer sessions.

 

For assistance in mobilization and assembly for the marches, kindly contact the Pro-Life secretariat at 733-7027 or at 734-9425.

Damaso, at the end of the day

Damaso, at the end of the day
By Antonio J. Montalvan II
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:52:00 10/11/2010

“AS CHINA’S population ages and the wages slowly rise, the government is becoming more concerned about who will take care of the elderly than about a destabilizing surge of young people unable to find jobs . . . . Experts worry that Beijing is unprepared for the sheer speed at which China will age. The United Nations predicts China’s working-age population will peak in 2015 and plunge by 23 percent by 2050.”

That was a Reuters report, datelined Beijing, in the Inquirer issue of Sept. 27, just about the same time that the Philippines went delirious over a Carlos Celdran in a bowler hat, he who could have demonstrated his wrath against the Chinese authorities for imposing a one-child policy. Except that Celdran was “demonstrating” against “overpopulation” in the Philippines which, if we heed his call, will very surely follow the path of China some years from now—remorseful for controlling population gone hopelessly geriatric.

Watching Celdran’s chutzpah acting on television screens and listening to the hosannas heaped upon him only convinced me that indeed, we have forgotten what Padre Damaso represented. Celdran was clever but his interpretation was, sadly, very literal. It is as if the world has not post-modernized after more than a hundred years of the “Noli.” Filipinos do not take their history too well.

Damaso was the quintessential schemer, a liar who was corrupt and adulterous, abusing his self-imposed, enlarged clerical power to exact vendetta. What he represented is very much real and existent in the flesh today, but not necessarily among the clerics. There are Damasos in media, and there truly are Damasos in government. The Damasos constitute a legion among our politicians. Celdran certainly missed the metaphor of Rizal’s parody.

One hardly finds the Damaso memory alive in Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, the father of Pondong Pinoy, the low-key archbishop of Manila who is painfully aloof with the cameras. Celdran could have searched elsewhere. The script’s setting and dramatis personae were certainly skewed right from the start.

Post-Celdran theatrics, the debate has now shifted to the question of when life begins, as if this has not been answered by science yet. Of course, that is part of the script. And part of the script is the lie that many artificial contraceptives are not abortifacient. It is incredible that one does not know this in this wired age when a wealth of information can be accessed at the flick of a finger. May I invite readers to www.epm.org/articles/bcp3300.html.

Damaso’s expertise was deception. It should not be hard then to find where the Damasos are in this debate.

Surveys are part of the ruse. Majority of Filipinos are in favor of legislating the use of artificial contraception. Right. But the Church is not in this for popularity reasons. Little support or otherwise, it is the role of the Church to point out the moral moorings of public policy, no matter if that is not what the majority says. If the majority says we shall legalize jueteng, do we expect the Church to follow suit? We might as well ask the Church to support drug abuse and women trafficking if and when the majority says these are okay. Never has the Church been daunted by a rampaging mob in its 2,000 years of existence, or it could not have survived this long. And survive it will, with due respect to Amando Doronila.

The Church should not meddle in government? Damaso was hardly the yardstick for that. He lost his moral ascendancy as a perpetrator of colonial abuses, among which were deception and hypocrisy. As pro-life and anti-death advocate, the Church has the responsibility to safeguard the tenets of the faith, which politicians should not leave at the doorstep of their houses when they go to Congress or Malacañang. The Church as a domain of faith is not limited to territorial boundaries. Faith is a sea without shores. The bedroom is part of the Church. Which the hypocrite Damaso denied, hence his dalliances that brought forth the tragic Maria Clara.

Media was in a frenzy over the Celdran performance. “Strictly Politics” of Pia Hontiveros at ANC joined the “fray of friars”—unfortunate for an intelligently straightforward talk show that had once outwitted an unguarded Erap Estrada into admitting that he indeed had signed the bank transfer for Jose Velarde a foot away from Clarissa Ocampo. That was a feat for the probing Hontiveros. That was history at its best.

In the merriment anti-life advocates went into to celebrate Celdran, a hapless John Carlos de los Reyes, the pro-life presidential contender in the May 2010 elections, was ganged up on by a cabal of known pro-death advocates—Beth Angsioco, Krip Yuson, Ricky Carandang and a revealing pro-contraceptive Pia Hontiveros—who only revealed their ignorance of “Humanae Vitae.” Balanced media reporting? Ricky Carandang, now a Cabinet secretary, has been a known anti-life advocate from way, way back. Now a public servant, Carandang remains anti-Church and anti-life. Call that democracy. Damaso would have relished that.

At the end of the show, Hontiveros unfolds a Damaso T-shirt. Everybody giggles and finds it cute, never mind if Delos Reyes is flabbergasted. At the end of the day, who is the real Damaso?

* * *

Comments to montalvan_antonio@g.cu.edu.ph

source: 

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20101011-297078/Damaso-at-the-end-of-the-day

Id like to share this appeal for life.

THIS IS AN APPEAL.

THIS MORNING, I RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM A CO-PARENT AT WOODROSE THROUGH OUR MOM'S YAHOO GROUPS AND I HAVE DECIDED TO SHARE IT HERE. I THINK FOR MOST PART MANY HAVE BEEN SILENT FOR FEAR OF THE POSSIBLE REACTIONS THAT WILL BE ELICITED FROM TAKING A PRO-LIFE STAND ESPECIALLY WITH THE RECENT EVENTS THAT HAVE INVOLVED THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND PRO-CHOICE PROPONENTS. THEN AGAIN THIS MORNING, I WAS COMPELLED BY THIS EMAIL TO TRY AND TAKE A FEW STEPS FURTHER TO SUPPORT LIFE AND TO RALLY FOR LIFE.

SOMETIMES, SILENCE IS GOOD AND GOLDEN BUT WHEN IT DISABLES US FROM TAKING A STAND, FROM BEING THE THE BETTER VERSION CHRISTIANS WE ALL ASPIRE TO BE AND NATURAL STEWARDS OF LIFE, THEN CHOOSING TO BE SILENT DOES MORE DAMAGE THAN WHAT WE WANTED TO AVOID ANYWAY. THERE IS A LINE BETWEEN TOLERANCE AND PERMISSIVENESS. I REMEMBER THIS ALWAYS FROM FR. CORAPI'S TALKS.  WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LIFE. WE ARE CARETAKERS OF LIFE,  FOREMOST AS PARENTS AND AS HUMAN BEINGS. GOD HELP US WITH COURAGE TO SPEAK UP IN FAVOR OF LIFE, NOT SO MUCH TO BE CONFRONTATIONAL OR ARGUMENTATIVE OR SENSATIONAL TO SAY THE LEAST- BUT JUST TAKE A STAND FOR IT REGARDLESS OF RELIGION. AFTER ALL, LIFE AND CHOICE- THESE BLESSINGS ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE TO CATHOLICS. THESE BLESSINGS ARE ALL INCLUSIVE.

MANY YEARS INTO THE FUTURE, IT WILL BE OUR CHILDREN WHO WILL HARVEST THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR DECISIONS, ACTIONS AND INACTIONS.

MAY OUR CHOICES, REGARDLESS WHO IS RIGHT OR WRONG, BE ALWAYS LIFE-GIVING.

GOD BLESS!



From: SHARON FERNANDEZ <sybf2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: A CALL FOR ACTION
Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 9:48 AM

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week saw a very sad incident and a tragic turn of events take place in our midst - a misguided individual took it upon himself to disrespect and desecrate the holy sacrifice of the mass, the most central and revered practice of our faith, under the excuse of "freedom of expression". He also disrespected the leaders of our Church, who were present in the celebration. If this had happened in a mosque and it was the muslim religion that was disrespected, muslims everywhere (not only in the Phils) would be up in arms and calling for a fatwah.

But how did we react as Catholics? 

In light of all the attacks being waged against the Church these past weeks (and which we can expect will continue as those who are pushing for the RH bill will certainly make the most out of the recent incidents to put the Church in a bad light and force Filipinos to take sides), let's take some time to pause and reflect on where we stand in all of this. As Catholics, are we going to side with those who say that we should be "flexible" (see Carmen Pedrosa's column in Phil. Star today, Oct 3) and just choose to follow those teachings of the Church that don't agree with our views? Or are we, like true Catholics, going to practice humility and recognize that our Mother the Church is just doing her job of looking out for our welfare by reminding us of what is good for us, because God said so and He knows what's best? Since when did being a Catholic mean we can pick and choose what we want to believe and practice based on what is convenient and "makes sense" to us? For isn't that the essence of FAITH - the belief in something to be true based on the authority of someone else? In this case, we believe in the truths taught to us by the Church because the authority behind the Church is God Himself. I don't know about you but I'm not about to go against what God says because I happen to "think" that using contraceptives will be a much better (read: easier, more convenient) solution to preventing unwarranted births than say, abstinence. But that's what all these biased columnists and people in media would have us think and do.  Just think about it for a while: why is it that we don't read any articles/columns that talk about the merits of ABSTINENCE? Condoms and other contraceptives have already been scientifically proven to be less than 100% effective (condoms between 85-95% effective), which is why there are still so many incidences of unwanted pregnancies despite their use, which then motivates the person to seek abortion as her next and last resort. But if people practice ABSTINENCE, that will be 100% effective 100% of the time. The problem with ABSTINENCE is that there's no money to be made by anyone out of it AND it will require discipline and self-sacrifice (virtues  many of our so-called leaders and politicians could definitely benefit from learning).  With abstinence, both the rich AND poor alike will benefit (not only physically but spiritually), whereas promoting contraceptives supports a billion $ industry. 

So going back, where do we, as true CATHOLICS, stand in all of this? Are we going to allow the views of the few but very vocal, misguided individuals speak for the millions of Catholics in this country? As the article below says, if we don't speak up now when our very beliefs are being challenged, when else will we speak? What kind of society will we bequeath to our children and grandchildren? A society that values comfort and self-seeking over self-sacrifice and whole families (father, mother, children) loving one another? A society where children don't need to tell their parents that they're using contraceptives because they're having pre-marital sex at 15? A society where a wife doesn't need to discuss with her husband her decision to have a ligation, even if he still wants to have children? A society that doesn't value children because they represent hard work, sacrifice, expense? For that will be the result of passing the RH Bill currently being touted as the ultimate solution to our problems with poverty.

If this is the kind of society that you would want generations of Filipinos to inherit, then do NOTHING after reading this. But if you want to have a hand in our country's future, TALK, WRITE, DEBATE, DISCUSS with others what you believe. If you belong to a group who are active in Church activities, ministries, etc., generate talk and discuss these with them and get others to make a stand with you. Write to your congressmen or if you know/have connections to any politician, talk/write letters to them and let them know what you think. Because unless we make the effort to speak out, the highly vocal minority will speak out for us, and then where would we be?

Sharon Fernandez

(If you are unsure of the fact and would like to be further enlightened on the arguments against contraception, abortion, population control, the RH Bill, etc. I would be more than happy to share information with you. Feel free to e-mail/text me.)

----- Forwarded Message ----

Sent: Sun, October 3, 2010 7:42:31 AM
Subject: [alfi] Elizabeth, Generations for LIfe: An Obligation to the Truth

 

http://generationsforlife.org/2010/0915/speaktruth/

An Obligation to the Truth

— Posted by Elizabeth (September 15, 2010 at 7:48 pm)

Have you ever been in a situation when a friend shares with you the fact that they performed a less-than-honorable action? And instead of pointing out that what they did was wrong, and that they have an obligation to get right with God, you laugh it off?

Yes, that happened to me. Recently, in fact. I was merely trying to be non-judgmental, but I ended up condoning that action. I didn’t speak the truth, instead I remained silent.

In our society, silence implies consent. By saying nothing, we indicate that we have no objections. We affirm the speaker as correct, and give them permission to proceed.

Meanwhile, our culture is constantly throwing objectionable beliefs in our face. We read biased articles from the media; there are numerous social settings where we run into people who hold immoral viewpoints. Our friends get caught up in the lies. As Christians – especially as Catholics who have been confirmed – we have an obligation, like it or not, to speak the truth instead of remaining silent.

We don’t have to be confrontational. We might not be especially persuasive. Maybe we’ll feel embarrassed because the truth is unpopular. But when the truth is disrespected in our presence, we can’t let the insult pass without raising even a small objection.

When you think about it, wouldn’t we speak up in any other situation? If I was speaking to someone who dissed my family, favorite sports team, or even my favorite movie, I would most certainly challenge their statement. Very few of us would merely shrug it off.

In the big picture, the Church, morality, and our pro-life beliefs are important enough to be defended – although it should be done with compassion and respect. And while oftentimes, we will be tuned out and ignored, we have the assurance that we have done the right thing.

An Obligation to the Truth

— Posted by Elizabeth (September 15, 2010 at 7:48 pm)

Have you ever been in a situation when a friend shares with you the fact that they performed a less-than-honorable action? And instead of pointing out that what they did was wrong, and that they have an obligation to get right with God, you laugh it off?

Yes, that happened to me. Recently, in fact. I was merely trying to be non-judgmental, but I ended up condoning that action. I didn’t speak the truth, instead I remained silent.

In our society, silence implies consent. By saying nothing, we indicate that we have no objections. We affirm the speaker as correct, and give them permission to proceed.

Meanwhile, our culture is constantly throwing objectionable beliefs in our face. We read biased articles from the media; there are numerous social settings where we run into people who hold immoral viewpoints. Our friends get caught up in the lies. As Christians – especially as Catholics who have been confirmed – we have an obligation, like it or not, to speak the truth instead of remaining silent.

We don’t have to be confrontational. We might not be especially persuasive. Maybe we’ll feel embarrassed because the truth is unpopular. But when the truth is disrespected in our presence, we can’t let the insult pass without raising even a small objection.

When you think about it, wouldn’t we speak up in any other situation? If I was speaking to someone who dissed my family, favorite sports team, or even my favorite movie, I would most certainly challenge their statement. Very few of us would merely shrug it off.

In the big picture, the Church, morality, and our pro-life beliefs are important enough to be defended – although it should be done with compassion and respect. And while oftentimes, we will be tuned out and ignored, we have the assurance that we have done the right thing.

http://generationsforlife.org/2010/0915/speaktruth/

Former Abortionist Now a Witness to Mercy

http://www.marian.org/divinemercy/story.php?NID=3066
He used to perform abortions. Then he returned to his Catholic faith. Now, Dr. John Bruchalski's mission is to help spread the message of Divine Mercy through his medical practice. His powerful conversion story is why planners for the upcoming North American Congress on Mercy have invited him to give his witness for the historic Nov. 14-15 event.

First, he founded the Tepeyac Family Center in 1994. The obstetrical and gynecological facility in Fairfax, Va., combines the best of modern medicine with the healing presence of Jesus Christ. Then, in 2000, he founded Divine Mercy Care, a non-profit organization performing spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

Dr. John Bruchalski shares with us how he got to where he is today:

Pro-Life Philippines will hold a youth congress on the demerits of the Reproductive Health Bill « Monk’s Hobbit

http://monkshobbit.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/pro-life-philippines-will-hold-a-youth-congress-on-the-demerits-of-the-reproductive-health-bill/
An open invitation to all those who wish to join the crusade in preserving the sanctity of life.

God bless!

How I became a prolife activitist by Therese Bonopartis

Source: www.marian.org

Editor's note: Thirty-six years ago this week, the Supreme Court decision Roe vs. Wade overturned all state and federal laws that outlawed or restricted abortion. To mark this anniversary, this week we offer a series of stories on people who are fighting to protect the life of the unborn, including Theresa Bonopartis, whose testimony follows:

By Theresa Bonopartis

"We are to show to those in need His goodness to ourselves ..." This phrase at Mass speaks to my heart. It reminds me of the despair, the grief, the pain of abortion from which Christ delivered me. It reminds me also of my duty to give hope to those still suffering, to help point the way to a place of shelter and peace in the heart of Jesus. And so, I relate my experience — unique and personal, but not unlike the stories of many other women. But this story is not, finally, about me. It's about our good and merciful God ... always there, wanting to forgive us and to make us whole again.

* * *

At 18 I honestly believed I was the only one not having sex. I gave in to peer pressure and slept with someone I was seeing occasionally. I remember vividly the day I phoned the doctor for my test results and learned I was pregnant.

After months of denial, I was nearly four months pregnant, so I knew the answer long before the word "positive" was uttered. I was overwhelmed by a range a feelings: happiness at the thought of a child growing within me, but also fear of telling my parents — the reason I had "denied" it for so long.

I immediately told the father of the child, and we decided to get married. Although we planned to tell our parents together, I blurted the truth to my mother and father. Their reaction took me by surprise. Shocked, angry, and disappointed, they told me to leave the house and forget that I was their daughter.

In retrospect, their reaction was understandable. They believed that premarital sex was wrong and thought it would be a disgrace to have a child out of wedlock. At least, I thought, my parents were practicing Catholics and would never ask me to abort my child. I left the house with no job, no money, no home, and nowhere to turn, feeling utterly abandoned and alone. It wasn't long before the baby's father and I broke up. Still, I was certain I would not get an abortion. I wanted my child.

A friend's mother invited me to stay in their home. I had no idea how I could support the baby and myself, and things began to feel hopeless. During this period, my father sent several messages urging me to have an abortion. He even offered to pay for it. I refused. But as I began to feel more desperate, I decided, finally, to let the abortion happen. I shut down my feelings and went through the motions, functioning more like an observer in a surreal world than someone in control.

Thirty years later, I still can't remember how I got to the hospital. But I do remember being alone in the hospital room when a doctor entered, and I'll never forget the sadistic look on his face as he injected saline into my abdomen.

No one explained to me the baby's development or what the abortion would be like. I had no idea what was going to happen. I lay there just wishing that I could die. I could feel the baby thrashing around as his skin and lungs were burned by the saline. He was dying. Labor began. After 12 hours of labor, alone in the room, I gave birth to a dead baby boy.

I looked at his tiny feet and hands. All I wanted to do was pick up my son and put him back inside of me. I couldn't fathom what I had done. I rang for the nurse. She came in, picked up my son and dumped him in what looked like a large mayonnaise jar, a jar marked 3A. Then she left the room and I was alone again, filled with hatred for myself. The thought of death seemed comforting. My downward spiral had only just begun.

After the abortion I flew to California to spend time with my sister and her family so I could get my bearings again. I wasn't the same person anymore. I went through the motions of daily living, but I had no desire for anything. At night, in the room I shared with my 2-year-old niece, I'd lie awake asking God over and over again to forgive me.

Three months later I returned to the New York area. Although I was not in contact with my father, my mom would slip out to meet me occasionally. Still trying to run away from myself, I moved to Florida. During my two years there, I called my dad and we began speaking again, although never mentioning my abortion.

When I returned to the area, I found a job and outwardly things seemed fine. But nothing was as it seemed. I tried hard not to think about who I was and what I had done. When I thought about my dead child, I would become depressed and despairing. Desperate to be loved, I became involved with the man I would marry, even though he was emotionally and psychologically abusive to me.

Two years later I was thrilled to be pregnant with our first child. But I was also afraid that God would punish me for the abortion, that something would be wrong with my child. I prayed constantly that the baby would not have to suffer for my sins, and was immensely relieved when he was born healthy.

The marriage began to fall apart soon after the baby's birth. My husband was abusing alcohol and we were arguing all the time. We tried counseling to salvage our marriage. Knowing that my abortion was at the root of my problems, I told the counselor about it. He told me to just forget about it. It was in the past. I could not make him understand that the abortion was very much in the present because I was living with the consequences every day.

For a while my husband stayed sober, and I became pregnant with our second child. By the time I was to give birth, however, his addiction was again full-blown. The night our second child was born, I did not expect my husband to be there. By the time he got home, I was well along in labor and we barely made it to the hospital in time.

The birth of my son was anything but joyous. I didn't know how I was going to care for two children, living with someone addicted to alcohol. Unlike the husbands of mothers around me, my husband did not show up the next day; he was recovering from a hangover. I lay alone in a hospital room, but this time my child was alive.

Soon after I brought the baby home, my husband overdosed and had to be rushed to the hospital. The incident helped me to begin breaking the cycle. During his two-week hospital stay, I began to enjoy my children for the first time. I didn't have to worry about where he was or what he was doing. I gave the children my full attention. I promised myself that I would not let them grow up in an abusive home, and that if he didn't straighten out, the children and I would begin a life for ourselves.

I kept my sanity by praying and reading the Bible. My husband stayed sober for two years before it began all over again. The day my older son, then four, told me to hide in the closet when he saw his father coming home, I knew we would have to leave.

For myself, I may well have stayed in that abusive relationship forever, but I did not want the boys to experience abuse. One day when my husband was drinking again, I took the children and walked out the door. Once again I found myself with no job, no money, no home. This time, thank God, I had my children.

My sister took me in to her already full apartment, and with my family's help (in this crisis I had their full support), I began to get my life together. Shortly after I walked out, my husband ended up in rehab, so the boys and I were able to move back into our apartment. I found a job. Within a year or two I returned to school to train as a substance abuse counselor. My family helped me both financially and by helping to care for the boys. I could not have made it without them.

After graduation, one of my teachers offered me a job. I thought I had finally gotten it together. Little did I realize how fragile this new life was.

By this time I had grown in my spiritual life and had a relationship with God, even though I did not truly know Him and still kept a distance from church. I still suffered from depression, entertained thoughts of suicide and had very low self-esteem; the fact that I had been one of the few from my class offered a job did not raise my self-esteem.

In time, as I struggled with my personal problems, my professional work began to suffer. I experienced "burn out." It was devastating to have worked so hard to achieve what I had and then become unable to function. I realize now that it was God's way of drawing me closer to Him.

I quit my job and struggled to stay out of the hospital. My dad supported the kids and me. I just moved through life. Every day it was a challenge just to get out of bed and take care of the boys. I did, however, begin attending Mass again, sitting in the back of the church, certain that everyone knew I had had an abortion, certain that the walls would come crashing down on me. But I went, listening for some word of hope that I could be forgiven for my terrible, "unforgivable" sin.

By then my older son was seven and ready to make his First Penance. At a meeting for the parents, a priest talked about God's mercy and His desire to forgive any sin, even the sin of abortion. I remember thinking: Can this be true? Did I hear him correctly? Will God really forgive abortion? That evening I left with the first inkling of hope I had known in 10 years.

It took time and courage, but I decided to contact that priest and ask him to hear my confession. Scared and nervous, I made my first confession in many years. The priest was gentle, trying to make it as easy as he could for me. He showed great empathy and support. At last, I was on my way home.

I began to see the priest regularly for spiritual direction. At first, all I could see was darkness. It was an effort to do the things he asked, like examining my life, because I was sure I would uncover only what a terrible person I was. But I was tired of the depression and desperate enough to try. I felt sorry for my children who had a mom who cried a lot and simply couldn't cope with life. I wanted more for the three of us. And so I prayed, went to Mass every day and spent time before the Blessed Sacrament. I needed so badly to trust in this God I had been told was so good.

Still I could not forgive myself. I continued to struggle with depression. I would beg Jesus for healing. I felt bad that I had not reached full healing, and my confessor's eyes showed his own sadness over my continued struggle. I understand now that the fullness of healing must come in God's time.

One night I felt depressed and suicidal again, but despite these feelings, I also somehow felt a deep trust in God. I didn't want the children to see me crying again, so after putting them to bed, I closed myself in the bathroom, crouched on the floor, and repeated over and over, "Jesus, I trust in You."

I don't know how many hours I did this, but well into the night I had an experience that changed my life. I experienced being on the cross with Christ. But instead of experiencing suffering, I felt love so intense that it was capable of taking away that pain. I felt His love wash away my sin and I knew my healing was complete.

I have never since felt the despair of abortion, only the profound love and forgiveness Christ gave me. I've watched my life be transformed, miraculously, as I've been privileged to help countless women and men suffering from abortion's aftermath. Christ's love transformed not only my life, but the lives of those I love.

Before my mother died, I learned that my abortion had caused her great suffering, although she had never told me. One day when we were watching TV, abortion was mentioned. She said, "Well, sometimes it's all right to have an abortion." I said, "Mom, it is never all right."

God gave us this moment of grace. She told me that my abortion was her sin and that she would take it to the grave with her. I was able to comfort her, telling her that we both bore responsibility for it. I told her that I forgave her and asked her to forgive me. After that, my mother went to confession to the same priest I had seen for direction, and she felt that her terrible burden was lifted.

Most difficult was telling my children. I felt that God was calling me to speak out about abortion, but I knew I couldn't unless my children knew first. I was terrified they would hate me. It took me years to muster the courage. By now I was active in the pro-life movement and they had been brought up to respect human life.

I planned to tell them many times, but each time I backed out, afraid to say the words. Finally one day I knew I was being given the grace to talk to them. How can I describe that day? I trembled as I told them of how our lives had come to be as they were. If not for my abortion, they would not be living in a fatherless household or seeing the strained relationship between my father and me.

The boys wrestled with their feelings. They were angry at me. They grieved for the brother they never knew. They felt guilty for surviving. It took time, a lot of talking, and the grace of God, but they understood finally why things were as they were, and why I had spent years crying. They grew closer to God, and we grew closer to one another.

I didn't speak publicly right away. The boys needed time to deal with their feelings and cope with the loss of their brother before I would do that. I was even resigned and at peace with the fact that the day might never come. But a few years later, they gave me their blessing. To say I am proud of them is an understatement. They have become great advocates for life.

I've now worked for some years with the Sisters of Life, conducting Days of Prayer and Healing for those suffering abortion's trauma. I am grateful to be able to stand alongside the Sisters at the foot of the cross and minister to these children of God, and blessed to watch them be transformed by His love and forgiveness. I have witnessed countless miracles of His mercy and am convinced that God is marshaling an army of once-wounded women and men to dispel the lies of abortion.

The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul, tells of words spoken to her by Christ:

Let the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than asked. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy.

I know that this is true.

Jesus I trust in You.

Theresa Bonopartis assists the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in conducting spiritual retreats for those wounded by abortion. This article is posted here with permission from the Respect Life Program, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2000. All rights reserved. Its original title was "Divine Mercy in My Soul."