We Mourn for Fathers Who Have Lost Children to Abortion

“I didn’t defend the life of my own daughter based on misinformation, selfishness, fear, and shame.

I let her die to an abortionist knife, and I died the same day.”  – Scott

The Apostle Peter and men who have been part of abortion decisions have something in common: A shameful and deeply painful denial at the heart of their stories. Peter’s journey of repentance and healing provides a roadmap for men wounded by abortion to discover their own reconciliation and recovery.

So what did Jesus see in Simon Peter?

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Peter was a successful manager and leader in a family fishing business, with employees and responsibilities. These gifts would prove, in time, to be essential to Peter’s vocation as the foundational leader of the early Church.

But Jesus also saw the need for a painful infusion of humility, to soften Peter’s pride, and allow him to honestly face his weakness, fear and mistrust. This was a necessary and essential journey for Peter if he was to fully embrace his vocation and mission.

As the Apostles gathered for what would be their final Passover meal together, Jesus turned to Peter, and, with great love and urgency, addressed the leader of the Twelve Apostles: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”  (Luke 22: 31-32)

Peter makes a bold proclamation to re-establish the integrity of his leadership among the other Apostles, and his unquestioned fidelity to Jesus: “Lord, I am ready to go with you to both prison and to death!”  (Luke 22:33)

Peter must have been shocked later that evening and in the days that followed as he witnessed Jesus being arrested, beaten and abused by the Temple guards, and facing the horrific torture and humiliation of Roman scourging and crucifixion.

Peter was shaken by these events. He rightly feared that as the designated leader of the 12 Apostles, he too could face similar abuse and the suffering of the cross. Isolated, under great stress, and afraid, Peter denied the one he pledged to sacrifice his life to protect.

Like many men who are part of abortion decisions, Peter wanted to be strong and do the right thing, but in a time of fear and weakness, he failed.

Steve understands Peter’s pain.

When he learned of his partner’s unexpected pregnancy and her plan to abort, he passively went along with the decision and let her go through the experience alone.

“I realized how small of a man I was cause if I had gone with her that day, I probably would have realized what had happened, I would have seen how upset how broken she was, and taken her by the hand and said, ‘let’s get out of this place’,” Steve said.

We know that Peter’s story does not end in despair, but with an intimate and powerful experience of forgiveness by Jesus that was essential to his vocation in the early Church.

Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed in his 2006 reflection on the Apostle Peter, that while his experience was deeply painful, he was chastened and humbled by his denial of Jesus.  In Peter’s grief, he discovers his freedom and true vocation in Christ.  Pope Benedict shared, “He weeps in a fit of liberating repentance. After this weeping, he is finally ready for his mission.”

The Heart of Healing

At the heart of abortion recovery for men is a healing of the denial and rejection of the natural fatherhood that is part of every abortion decision.

Tweet This: At the heart of abortion recovery for men is a healing of the denial and rejection of the natural fatherhood that is part of every abortion decision.

This healing is best accomplished in an abortion healing program where you will discover the grace to open your mind and heart to face the truth of your experience; the complicated emotions, shame, self-recrimination, and sorrow. The healing process creates a sacred place in the heart to embrace your child, now entrusted to the mercy of the Lord, with love and tenderness.

This healing of a father’s heart often leads to great blessings in a man’s marriage and family life. Fathers are set free, like Peter, to embrace their vocation of spiritual leadership in their families and churches, with humility and trust.

Have a blessed Father’s Day.

LifeNews Note: Theresa and Kevin Burke are the founders of Rachels Vineyard Ministries Theresa also created a week program for abuse in a retreat setting entitled Grief to Grace – Healing the wounds of Abuse.   Her latest treatment model Duty to Heal – Finding Peace for a Soldiers Heart  is another week long retreat that addresses the moral injury and trauma suffered by military veterans and first responders.