News

'Abortion affects everyone'

By Laurie Mueller
Compass Correspondent

	Closing service The Green Bay 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil will close at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 18, with a ecumenical service in Baird Place Park, at the corner of South Webster and East Mason streets, across the street from the Medical Arts Building. The Rev. Ron Ross, pastor of NEW Freedom Assembly of God Church, Howard, will lead the prayer service for life.

Individuals taking part in the 40-Day Vigil for Life-Green Bay outside the abortion clinic at the Medical Arts building are doing more than praying for the end of abortion.

They are also praying for those who have been affected by abortion, said Lori Koschnick, event planner. "At the perpetual adoration chapel at Ss. Peter and Paul in Green Bay, a basket sits with many names we've gathered from post-abortive men and women over the last few months. We are holding these babies and their parents closely in prayer continuously."

The basket was at the ecumenical prayer service Bp. David Zubik led on May 9 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral to start the vigil. After the service, it was taken to Christ the King Perpetual Adoration Chapel in Ss. Peter and Paul Church, where it will remain throughout the vigil.

"We pray the memories don't haunt them, and that they know the love, mercy, and peace of Christ," Koschnick said. Prayer intentions can still be added at www.40daysforlifegb.com.

"Whether we realize it or not, we all know someone who's had an abortion. It could be a co-worker, family member, friend," Koschnick said.

Dr. Amy Schuekler, an OB/Gyn who donates her time at A & A Alexandrina, a Green Bay Catholic pregnancy help center, said about 1 out of 3 people have either had an abortion or know closely someone who had one. "Most lives are affected in some way," said Schuekler, who counsels, guides and supports women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

"Abortion affects everyone, not just the woman or the baby or the father; but there's the grandparents and siblings (aunts/uncles)," Schuekler said. "It is a very difficult thing."

The woman who has an abortion faces possible side effects, including heavy bleeding, infection, increased risks of breast cancer and miscarriage for future pregnancies, Schuekler said.

Then there are emotional effects, which she and the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing's website say can include fear, loneliness, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, depression, anger, difficulty concentrating, flashbacks and nightmares of babies being harmed.

Wisconsin Right to Life's website says, "A Los Angeles Times survey in 1989 found that 56% of women who had abortions felt guilty about it, and 26% 'mostly regretted the abortion.'"

Even though abortion takes a life "most people were not allowed to grieve," Schuekler said. "In the case of abortion, the mourning process is cut short because of denial and guilt. The feeling of guilt blocks the mourning process."

A & A Alexandrina helps women who have had an abortion. The website www.pregnancycenters.org has links to similar centers across the country.

Schuekler said the post-abortive recovery process is similar to the steps used in Alcoholics Anonymous. To begin post-abortive healing, the woman "has to admit part of the responsibility." Then comes forgiveness. It is important "not only to admit it, but then forgive yourself," Schuekler said. "God doesn't want us to live a lifetime of mourning."

Msgr. Roy Klister, rector of St. Frances Xavier Cathedral and pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul, said, "The church stands always ready to help a sinner who has crossed moral boundaries - no matter how big or small - in receiving God's forgiveness. God's forgiveness is always available to us. However, we have to ask for God's forgiveness with an awareness of our faults and a desire to be reconciled."

In addition to sacramental healing, abortion demands special healing where women can work through their sense of guilt, Msgr. Klister said. "Emotional coping mechanisms run the gamut from 'it didn't matter' to burying guilt that a person thinks is unforgivable. Both are wrong. It did matter and God will forgive. The church has to work through the person knowing it did matter and being able to receive God's forgiveness."

Schuekler said the woman is counseled to forgive herself as well as "others who encouraged or failed to help avoid abortion," such as the father, her parents, or the abortion provider.

This healing process takes time, Schuekler said, "During the process there is the temptation to give into despair and doubt. It's trauma. It takes a long time."

Msgr. Klister said there is no calendar for healing. "Some people have been able to work through it in months. For some, years and years later (the pain) is still there."

A & A Alexandrina usually recommends two books to help in the healing process: Silent No More and Forbidden Grief.

While the number of abortions is dropping, Schuekler said, many people still need healing, including the mother and father, their families and the physicians and health care workers who perform the abortions.

"What we need to do is love them all," Schuekler said. "They need a lot of time and love."