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Ed
wrote:
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Hi guys,
I would like to reconcile myself with the Catholic Church.
Actually, I need to reconcile with the Church. I have
the sin of an abortion on my conscience and I rightfully
suffer from it.
I was the father in the situation that
happened 18 years ago.
- What must I do to be able to come back?
It seems that, in the eyes of the Church, there is no graver
sin so I have been feeling hesitant to even make the effort.
Thanks for your advice and assistance.
Ed
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How does a father of an aborted child on his conscience, reconcile with the Catholic Church? }
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Mary Ann
replied:
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Dear Ed —
I am so happy to hear from you. And I am so glad that you are ready
to lay down the burden you have been carrying, and change it for
the light yoke of Jesus' Mercy. The Church has a special ministry
for people who have participated in abortion. It is called Project
Rachel. I am the Director of our San Antonio Project Rachel.
Project
Rachel has specially-trained priests and counselors, and groups and
retreats for men and women. There are specific counter-intuitive
things to do to recover from abortion, aside from Reconciliation.
These steps help one truly appropriate the grace of reconciliation
and feel reconciled within. There is a traumatic loss
in abortion, a loss that is not grieved, together with many other
unrecognized losses and symptoms that follow.
You can go to www.hopeafterabortion.com or
and click on "Find help" at the top of the page and a map of all the
Project Rachel's in the US will appear in the upper right hand corner.
Don't be afraid. Every father
or grandfather that I have witnessed go through Project Rachel has
come out with much joy.
Mary Ann
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Eric replied:
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Hi Ed,
Well, it's simple. Go to your local Catholic Church
and ask for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You can
go during the regular parish time frame, but you'll probably
want to make an appointment with a priest, so you have
some time blocked off from his schedule. You might want
to indicate whether you need an hour, a half hour, or
whatever. Then, confess to him every sin that is on
your heart from the time you left — whatever you can
remember.
With respect to the abortion, he can advise
you on what you need to do. Technically, abortion incurs
excommunication, but if you were ignorant of that fact
at the time, it's unlikely they would consider you excommunicated.
Should it be necessary to have an excommunication lifted, if he doesn't
have the faculties to do that, (in most dioceses all priests do),
he can refer you to someone who does.
After you confess your sins, the priest will pronounce
absolution over you, which is always a freeing moment.
Your burden will be lifted from you and you can join
us again at the Lord's Table!
And welcome back! It's good to have you again!
Eric
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John
replied:
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Dear Ed,
A couple of points to add to what has already been said.
As Eric said, confess all the sins you can remember, but as long
as you make a good faith effort to do so, those sins you forget to
confess are forgiven as well.
Since it's been a while since you last confessed, the priest may
talk you through it. Don't worry about formulas or remembering exactly
how to say the Act of Contrition. Just go confess from your heart.
Jesus and His Church are waiting with open arms. Further, if the
priest is worth his salt, hearing such a Confession and helping a
brother come to the Church will make his day!!!
All of us have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, yet
as St. John wrote, if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive
us. (1 John 1:9)
Welcome back Ed.
John
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