Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

"[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My
mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My
mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls
that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant
even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest
sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I
justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: before I
come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who
refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door
of My justice…" (Diary, 1146)

I am writing with a heavy broken heart today. All last week we heard about the death of a woman who was 33 weeks pregnant at the clinic of LeRoy Carhart, the infamous late term abortionist.

Yesterday her identity was made public in the pro life community. Her name is Jennifer McKenna Morbelli, and her unborn baby's name was Madison Leigh. Jennifer and her husband TJ were given an adverse diagnosis which is what led to their decision to abort.

Having worked with numerous couples who have aborted because of an adverse diagnosis, I can only imagine the pressures they were under to terminate the pregnancy and the heartbreak and confusion they felt. I am also sure in this state, they were given very little time to make a decision and I would bet were told how terrible their baby's life would be, and that the loving thing to do would be to l terminate the pregnancy. Imagine the heartbreak and shock on hearing the baby you are so looking forward to should be aborted as a loving option.

Of course, this does not mean it was the right thing to do, abortion is never the answer, but as the Gospel of Life states "The Church is aware of the many factors which may have
influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a
painful and even shattering decision."

Jennifer is being waked a few blocks from where I live, and her burial is around the block from me. I also read this morning (do not know if it is true) that a Catholic priest may have been with them. In our work with adverse diagnosis, many of the couples we have seen went to their clergy, who through a false compassion, told them in this case abortion would be alright.  Once healed, many of these couples returned to their priests and in a loving way told them they were wrong, that it is never right to abort.

I am praying for Jennifer, Madison and the entire family. I am also praying that they receive respect in these coming days and no one will try to politicize the services and will allow them to mourn.

I have been so sad and broken hearted lately to see a lot of judgement on women who have had abortions. It is shocking to think some of those who have a relationship with God can be so condeming and without mercy.

Yes, I am a sinner. Yes, I participated in the death of my unborn child. Yes, I deserve eternal punishment, but God is a God of mercy and He sent His son to earth for the forgiveness of sins. even my sin of abortion. Perhaps those who are condeming should look to Christ and what He has done for us instead of just focusing on our sin. I am grateful to know how much I need Him, that I am capable of any sin without His grace, and to know His great love for me.

I pray Jennifer's family will come to know that love as well in this very dark time. As we begin this season of Lent, I pray they will embrace the cross of Christ to find all the love that is there and the truth of His mercy, and forgivness, Jesus, who came to call the "greatest sinners".