“Did you know…?” Busting Abortion Stigma

Statistically, 1 in 4 women in the U.S. will have an abortion in her lifetime. This means that one day, you or someone you love will need to make an important decision about pregnancy. When a friend shows you their positive pregnancy test in the school bathroom or you realize just how late your period is, you deserve to have all the information and resources you need to make the decision that’s right for you.

Did you know that as a Catholic, you can help bust abortion stigma? Discover common misconceptions here to destigmatize abortion in your next conversation!

Abortion:

A simple medical procedure has become a word that sparks heated debate or brings a conversation to a standstill. An induced abortion ends a pregnancy by removing the embryo or fetus from the uterus. Procedural, medication, and self-managed abortions are common and safe. Sometimes, abortion procedures or medications are used in the treatment or completion of pregnancy loss.

You can read more about the different techniques that abortion providers might use to shed light on a safe, life-saving medical procedure in our Advocates Bible, linked here (pages 85 – 91).

What does the word "abortion" mean?

Learn more in this article

I am a practicing Catholic who teaches Sunday school, and I have had two abortions late in pregnancy.

Ann

If my grandmother had the protection of ending her life-threatening pregnancy, I’d have gotten to meet her. As it is, I can only visit her grave.

Kathy Cassity

I have had two abortions, and God loves me.

Viva Ruiz

TAKE ACTION TO HELP BUST STIGMA

FIND LOCAL PRO-CHOICE CATHOLICS

Find or host a regional advocates meeting in your area!

JOIN CATHOLICS FOR MIFE

Help us defend access to medication abortion.

LEARN MORE

What does the Catholic church actually say about abortion?

REQUEST MATERIALS

Distribute postcards, stickers, and more in your community.

FIGHT AGAINST FAKE CLINICS

Learn about how to recognize the signs of anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers.

BECOME A DIGITAL SHEPHERD

Support the fight for reproductive and religious freedom online!

APPLY HERE

Take legislative action in your state!

Counseling & partner resources:

Our conscience there is nothing wrong with having an abortion, but we understand it can be a morally complex decision, or you may feel isolated because of forced abortion stigma and shame. But believe us when we say, you are NOT alone.

Church teachings on moral decision-making and abortion are complex. In Catholic theology, there is room to question and disagree with church teachings and support positions and policies that favor access to the full range of reproductive health options, including contraception and abortion. That’s why we are fully Catholic and fully support abortion justice.

Find support and additional resources below.