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How can the Church speak out against abortion and offer hope and forgiveness
to those who have had an abortion? I believe that silence from the pulpit
on the subject of abortion denies people the healing power of our Lord Jesus
Christ. There could be no more devastating denial. It could well be that
this silence from the pulpit is understood, by some post-abortive women, as
proof that they are unworthy of forgiveness, that they and their deeds are so
dirty and evil that even their pastors dare not address them. Or worse, many
of these women might believe that their nagging feelings of guilt are false,
that there is nothing for which they need to ask forgiveness. If true guilt
were in play, they reason, their pastors would be speaking to their need.
As pastors remain silent, so as not to upset anyone in the pew, parishioners
touched by abortion feel an increasing alienation, a growing separation from
their own congregations, because no one risks discussion of this supposedly
out-of-bounds subject. When clergy and congregations breach the often
forbidden subject and offer Christ’s forgiveness and healing to the victims
of abortion, word that they are truly of Christ and truly inviting all to His
healing certainly spreads. New life in Christ is given and received. The
congregations are strengthened. And the Gospel advances, due to that amazing
grace.
If the churches remain silent about abortion, hurting men and women in our
midst will not find the peace they so desperately.
www.lifewatch.org 03/01/2000
