But What About Abortion In The Case Of Rape?

Many of you who have engaged in conversation with the passers-by at the vigil will have been asked the question, ‘but what about abortion in the case of rape?’ Firstly, we must recognise what a terrible thing it is for a woman to be raped and how she needs to be given all the love and support possible. But these women need real help, not abortion. Rather than helping women who are the victims of such a horrendous crime, the abortion industry seeks to make women yet another victim of their own abortion. One victim of rape asked the doctor, ‘will the abortion undo the rape?’ and he of course had to reply ‘no.’ Not only will the abortion not undo the rape, but it will instead only add another layer of guilt and physical and emotional trauma to the already wounded woman.

Abortion only perpetuates the cycle of violence. The argument for abortion in the case of rape, as with disability, is a direct assault on all those who have been conceived in that way. One such example of this is Rebecca Kiessling who was conceived from a knifepoint attack by a serial rapist. Her mother, afraid of an illegal abortion at the time, decided to carry her to term and put her up for adoption. When Rebecca found out about her violent beginning she spoke out against those who justify abortion in the case of rape. She said, “All those people are out there who don’t even know me, but are standing in judgment of my life, so quick to dismiss it just because of how I was conceived. I felt like I was now going to have to justify my own existence, that I would have to prove myself to the world that I shouldn’t have been aborted and that I was worthy of living” (Rebecca Kiessling). These powerful words of Rebecca remind us that whatever the circumstances of his or her birth, every human being is a unique and unrepeatable gift from God, created in his own image and likeness. Let us remember women like Rebecca who have every much right as we do to be here today, and please come and join us in witnessing to this at our prayerful vigil in Brixton.

Jacinta

The 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil in Brixton, where we reach out to expectant Mums, will run for 12 hours a day, 8am to 8pm, seven days a week from Ash Wednesday until Palm Sunday. If you could spare an hour or more to come and pray with us, it would be of great help. The vigil takes place at the corner of Brixton Water Lane, London, SW2 5BJ. For more details or to book to attend please contact Gabriella on 07745711064 or 02077231740

For details about 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigils in Reading, Ealing, Southend, Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow, Leicester, Bournemouth and Sheffield see here and for the rest of the World see here