Family Planning Associates, Miramar Rd. Saturday, January 26
One of the sidewalk counselors encountered a woman and her boyfriend, both in their early twenties as they were getting out of his car. When the counselor told them about the abortionist’s record they were both horrified. ” But I already have the laminaria.in me so I’m s——.” Insertion of the laminaria is the first part of a two-day procedure for second trimester abortions that can successfully be removed, if the woman chooses not to go through with the abortion.
The counselor reassured her that it was not too late, although if she saw the abortionist, they would claim it was, and that it could not be reversed. The counselor gave her information for Culture of Life Family Services and emphasized that she could call right away to get help, and have the laminaria removed. The security guard walked up and said, ” Don’t listen to him, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The doctor here is licensed and will help you.” The counselor said, “This man has been hired by the doctor because they are losing business since we started informing people of the truth.” She thanked the counselor and laughed nervously as they moved toward the elevator.
As soon as they got to the second floor we could here the couple arguing on the balcony. After a few minutes of arguing they came down. Another counselor spoke to her saying that she would be willing to drive her to Culture of Life. The couple left in his car. About 30 minutes later the young woman D., came back in a cab. As the counselor got to the cab she was paying the driver and was talking on the phone. Her boyfriend was not around. As she was exiting the cab, while still on the phone, the counselor handed her another Culture of Life Family Services brochure. She said, ” I’m trying to get my money back and I want these ——- things out of me!”
The second counselor came up and offered to take her to the Culture of Life office. The young woman emphasized that she wanted her money back and was still talking on the phone. She went up on the balcony and we could hear crying hysterically as she talked to her boyfriend on the phone. The second counselor yelled up at her that we are here to help her. The woman, still on the phone, smiled at the counselor, raised a finger as though to indicate that she would be right back, and went into the mill. We waited for some time, but the woman did not come out.
A counselor spoke with a woman that lied, saying that she was getting information about the services available. The counselor gave her information about the abortionist and the risks and side effects of having an abortion, and warned her about the abortionist’s record. As she went up, the counselor spoke with her husband who was sitting in their car with their toddler. He admitted they were there to get an abortion because of financial reasons. The counselor gave him information as well.
Another young woman stepped out of a car with her husband and toddler son. In her hand the counselor could see she was holding a Rosary. The counselor went up to her and gave her information about the abortionist and where she could go for help. She reluctantly thanked the counselor, who then asked if she had been praying the Rosary. She said “Yes” and that she always prayed it. The counselor asked if she was Catholic and she affirmed that she was.
The counselor asked her if she realized that what she was about to do is a mortal sin in our religion. This angered her and she said, “You know, I hope that you don’t do this to all the women coming here. You don’t know their situation you don’t know what they are going through. Our Pope Benedict has said that we should pray for women in this situation.” The counselor told her that we are not here to condemn anyone and that we are all sinners. We are here to give her information. She turned around and walked up the stairs.
The woman with the Rosary pretty much typifies the Catholic attitude on abortion: it is up to me and my husband/boyfriend/other to decide. And, the Pope/bishop/pastor/priest said that it was OK if my conscience was clear. The sad fact is that the Church has failed to tell the truth to its members for decades about sin. The notion of a “mortal” sin is a laugher to most people. The counselor was right, and charitable, in telling the “Catholic” woman that she would be committing a mortal sin. Note the woman’s response: defensive, even haughty, with a lecture back to the counselor. Well, in the Church of Happy, this type of attitude is seen as “Catholic”; the belief goes something like — if it feels OK, then I can do it, because God gave me a conscience (and it tells me to go ahead). The truth is that there are things that may not be done, regardless of personal feelings. If a person does commit such a sin, then they need to confess it, or face eternal punishment. Simple, simple stuff; not easy to do, but it is easy to understand. Unfortunately, the Rosary-saying woman is really saying, “No,I don’t want to do what you want me to, Lord. No; my will be done, not yours.” Good luck, and thank you to her ordinary.
Perhaps with what I hope is the rarest of exceptions, I think all Catholics around the world know that murder is sin – mortal sin, not venial sin – and that abortion equals murder. It is unkind and mostly untrue to state that “the Church has failed to tell the truth to its members for decades about sin.” The Church acts as the repository of the faith and faithfully teaches the faithful, although of course more could always be done. The problem is in those who choose not to listen, study, commit to memory as best they can, and dedicate themselves to following the teachings of Jesus Christ in their personal lives, as taught to us by the Church. Lots of people go to church as a function of culture, family life, or even social life, and they choose to misinterpret what we are taught as “The Twelve Suggestions, take ’em or leave ’em, no worries, friend.” That misinterpretation of the teachings of the Church happens within the mindsets of the listeners, many of whom may be present in the congregation but not committed Catholics. It is disingenuous to blame our priests or the entire Church itself when men and women choose to view the teachings as something from the outside which can be accepted or rejected at will, rather than wonderfully unfailing guidelines worthy of incorporation into one’s very being that serve to purify your soul and put you in profoundly loving connection with God the Father, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the communion of saints. To follow the teachings of the Church is good for you and good for the whole world. To turn away is bad for you and bad for the whole world. Those who choose to ignore that will not be able to blame the Church on Judgment Day; they will be held accountable for their own actions. None of this does the Church fail to teach, although all of us can do better in learning it, following it, and passing it on to others.
When bishops like Soto and Cardinal Dolan etc. etc. ad nauseam say one thing and then freely take part in functions with pro-abortion public figures, they present an image on this issue that is at best ambiguous, and they will answer to God for it!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
Mr Fisher I agree with you.
Is it possible that the Rosary praying woman felt that praying the Rosary covered a multitude of sins? Practicing a devotion to legitimize a serious sin? Superstitious use of the rosary.