Judge Ye Not

By Conscience August 31, 2018

Thank you for your publication. I went through an abortion at 21 weeks in October after a devastating ultrasound that confirmed fetal anomaly. My husband and I were thrilled to fall pregnant and already had named our baby girl Ellie. I was not prepared for the bad news or to make the decision to terminate.

I was raised very Catholic and attended Catholic school from kindergarten until senior year of high school. I truly lost my faith and felt abandoned by the church—I winced as I walked through the doors of the church on Christmas Eve. It was so hard to feel so misunderstood and judged by the church when I loved my daughter with my whole heart and made a decision purely out of concern and love.

Anyway, I went searching today for a different Catholic perspective, and your site really gave me a lot of peace. Just to know that not all Catholics would think I should be excommunicated or shunned is a comfort. My grandparents and parents supported our choice and their hearts broke for us, but I haven’t been open with many other people in our Catholic community. I don’t think I will ever be due to fear of rejection, but knowing there are Catholics out there who might understand is a gift. Thank you again.

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Conscience

Offers in-depth, cutting-edge coverage of vital contemporary issues, including reproductive rights, sexuality and gender, feminism, the religious right, church and state and US politics. Our readership includes national and international opinion leaders and policymakers, members of the press and leaders in the fields of theology, ethics and women's studies.