Catholic Bishop believes post-abortion ministry is 'key' to 'pro-life efforts'

In view of the U.S. bishops’ yearly fall meeting conducted recently in Baltimore, Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, Ohio, who presently chairs the bishops’ pro-life committee, showcased the key role that the post-abortion ministry, Project Rachel, has in boosting pro-life efforts across the country.

Key Takeaways:

• Project Rachel is a ministry focusing on post-abortive women.

• Though the Catholic Church acknowledges abortion as a sin, it likewise believes in God's mercy.

• Bishop Thomas argued that compassion must lead the fight to win hearts and minds.

The Details:

Speaking to OSV News, Bishop Thomas said that the committee’s work was not merely to resist abortion, but to lead efforts which offer “healing and the tender mercy of God to those devastated by its implications." He declared that the Project Rachel ministries in each diocese are “key to our pro-life efforts.” He added:

“We want to be profoundly supportive of our diocesan ministries for women and men who have experienced any abortions. Sadly, the church is often judged as only being in a stance of condemnation of those who have had abortion.

We, of course, recognize that abortion is a grave sin. But at the same time, as a church, it’s our responsibility — and as shepherds in particular — to be able to offer the healing and tender mercy of God, which is extended to anyone, no matter what the sin and no matter what the offense.”

He added that Project Rachel is “intended to show the merciful face of Jesus, to accompany those who are in such a profound struggle of shame and perhaps anger, of feelings of unworthiness, and of course, this misunderstanding that abortion is the unforgivable sin, which is completely false.”

“Jesus forgives every sin. And no matter the sin, He offers His healing and mercy,” Bishop Thomas said.

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The Big Picture:

Bishop Thomas lauded how Project Rachel, initially established in 1984, collaborates with diocesan teams that entail laypeople, priests, deacons, and some consecrated religious, as well as people with a background in psychological or psychiatric care, to take care of “the whole person physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally.”

“The reality is, as shepherds, we want to make sure they know of our pastoral care, that we know that the church loves them, Jesus loves them and we desire them to be one with us,” he said, adding that abortion “does not negate the fact that the Lord extends his mercy to their hearts, minds, and souls and to their lives.”

Previously, Bishop Thomas lambasted the FDA’s authorization of a second generic version of mifepristone, the first drug used in the abortion pill regimen, despite evidence pointing to its dangers to both women and preborn children.

“Even if it eventually had to be approved as a generic version of the same drug, to do so now and make it more available before a recently announced safety study can be completed and potentially save lives, is a shocking inconsistency," he said. "Mothers in need and their preborn children deserve better."

As Live Action News reported in a recent fact check, "[HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy] has the legal authority to remove both Mifeprex and the generic mifepristone tablet for two reasons: (1) safety or efficacy, and (2) any false statements of material fact...."

The Bottom Line:

Bishop Thomas' message is clear: the battle to safeguard preborn lives must be fought with compassionate outreach to those wounded by abortion, providing them with means to experience God’s mercy and a path to healing.

By supporting ministries like Project Rachel and opposing the expansion of abortion through unsafe drug approvals, the Catholic Church has long sought to create a culture that respects and safeguards all human life.