Praying for an end to abortion

Today we have our first blog post by group member Chris (but due to technical issues it has my name at the bottom!!!)

40 Days For Life is an international campaign that, usually, runs twice a year and hold a peaceful vigil of prayer opposite the headquarters of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) in Bedord Square, London. Katherine and I went there on Sunday to show our support and also to see if it was something that the Parish might like to support in the future.

The vigil at the corner of Bedford Square, as you can see it
remained well attended after we retreated to find coffee!

We were booked into the 1pm to 2pm slot and arrived, much to our astonishment, at exactly the right time. We found three people at the vigil and in front of them were three boards, showing what the vigil was for and also a large sign with a passage from the Bible on it. The people were very welcoming and pleased to see us, especially the two Polish ladies, who had been standing there for two hours and we're rather cold! We took their place and had a chat with the man, Martin (who we assumed was one of the co-ordinators of the vigil), who was there.

He said that the Polish community had been very supportive of the vigil. He said that there was another vigil up the road and, between them, they had already saved 35 babies from being aborted. The other week, a Pro Choice group set up near them and began shouting abuse. A lady who works nearby came over to the Pro Life group and said that, although she didn't necessarily share their views, she was disgusted by the other group's behaviour. While we were there, only one person said a negative comment as he passed by. Most people looked and were respectful.

While we were there, we prayed as a group which was a beautiful and moving experience in itself as none of us knew each other but we had all been called there by our love for God and our neighbour. There was a blue book with various Scripture passages and prayers in it which we took turns to read aloud, we also said the Rosary. 

After an hour, we said our goodbyes and the man said that they'd be delighted if members from our Parish would be able to come to next year's vigil. Before heading home we stopped to light a couple of candles at the ever spectacular Westminster Cathedral. I'm really glad I went and I know Katherine feels the same. Please, please continue to pray for all those facing crisis pregnancies and for those helping with the vigil.

Teenage pregnancies - how can we help?

Thanks to Les Whittaker of the East Grinstead Gospel of Life group for drawing our attention to an article in his local paper which reveals that 75% of under-18s who fall pregnant in Mid Sussex have an abortion - in other words, 3 out of 4. This is apparently the highest rate in the county.  Here in Horsham we fall into West Sussex whose rate stands at 59%, but this is still above the national average of 50%.

You can read the article here.

Now pro-choicers might point to this as celebrating the availability of abortion facilities for young girls and their "freedom of choice".  We wonder exactly how free this choice often is, however, in a social culture that lauds sexual freedom and presents abortion as the convenient and essentially scruple-free answer when pregnancy arises.  It wouldn't be surprising if when combined with pressure from family and boyfriends, the necessity to adapt education and career plans and a natural concern at coping with motherhood at such a young age, this prevailing cultural outlook tended to panic young women down the road to the abortion clinic without pause for thought.

So what can pro-lifers do about these figures?  The answer must surely lie in active support for girls coping with crisis pregnancies.  Teenage pregnancy is a big deal and young women facing it deserve time and space to think through the options without pressure.  One of the best places for them to do this is in a local crisis pregnancy centre.  As Sara Jackson, manager of the Haven Crisis Pregnancy Centre in Burgess Hill, remarks in the article, "We offer the opportunity for young women to come and talk through their options. Some may feel that abortion is the easiest option because it is over quickly. But we aim to give the girls a bit more time and we give them more information so they can make an informed decision."

It is also important to ensure that young women realise abortion isn't the consequence-free, simple solution it is sometimes portrayed as being, the easy alternative to facing an unplanned pregnancy.    Rob Williamson, chairman of the Mid Sussex branch of LIFE which offers support to young girls who find themselves pregnant and even safe houses where they can stay and have their babies, says in the article, "These statistics are shocking because, first of all, girls should not be put through this type of trauma. We are desperately sorry for the girls, of course, and we are also sorry if this results in an abortion... the turmoil these girls can go through is huge. I think more teenagers are seeking out abortions because they do not feel ready for a baby, but we can help to support them."

So how can we each help to offer the support that will help young girls feel able to save the life of their babies by either keeping them or putting them forward for adoption rather than abortion?  Of course, if we know anyone facing a crisis pregnancy, then we can put ourselves out to offer friendship, a listening ear and time to chat.  It's vital to arm ourselves with local knowledge so that we can direct friends in the direction of nearby people and organisations that can help them.  And even if we aren't personally close to anyone in this situation, we can still help. Our local pregnancy crisis centre - in Horsham this is Oasis - and charities such as LIFE and The Good Counsel Network will appreciate our support, whether financially or in some practical way.  For example, St John's Pro Life Group hope to organise a collection of baby goods at church for Oasis to give to young mums.  See our minutes as linked to Katherine's previous post.

And of course, we can all pray, pray, pray!  Here at St John's group we've been saying a daily Memorare for the 40 Days For Life campaign and for all those facing crisis pregnancies.  Perhaps you'd like to join us?

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided.  Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.  To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  O mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petition but in thy mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.

Blowing out the cobwebs

It's been a long time since we've posted anything on the St. John's Pro Life blog...in fact over the last few months all of our regular activities in the parish have lain rather dormant but, at our meeting last week, we decided to renew our efforts in all areas, including posting on here!

So to start us off I thought you could all see what we intend to do over the coming months. You can download our recent meeting minutes here or email me for a copy. We intend to take things slowly, not bite off more than we can chew, but do more nonetheless. We'll also put up on here all the things we intend to do as they come along. If you see anything in the minutes you'd like to comment on then please, by all means do, or if you'd like to get involved in anything then that would be amazing too! You can always contact me via email if you have questions about any of our upcoming activities.

It's good to be back, God bless!