Abortion: Caring for those who have had an abortion

In our right enthusiasm to protect unborn children, Christians have at times come across as harshly judgemental towards those who have had an abortion. Such a stance runs contrary to the grace of God. The mandate to love our neighbour has to include all those who have chosen to make the complex decision to end a pregnancy.

Abortion is an act that ends a human life so it is not surprising that many women experience some after-effects. Aside from the possible physical complications of the procedure, up to 10% of women will experience significant psychological issues. These can range from recurrent, intrusive and sometimes disabling awareness of guilt, to stabs of painful remembrance associated with anniversaries, birthdays or seeing a child of the same age as an aborted child would have been. Some women report that no day passes without the abortion coming to mind at some point.

With one in 3 women having at least one abortion it is inevitable that there are many women in, and connected with, our churches who are struggling with their own histories of abortion.

So how can the church love and pastor such people?

1. Raise awareness: Abortion must be raised as an issue to be addressed by the gospel. Churches should be teaching and preaching on abortion because it is something that affects many – secretly and deeply. Far better to raise the issue tactfully and clearly, so that it may be addressed by the gospel, than to keep the whole issue permanently under wraps for fear of causing pain.
2. Point to forgiveness: We all need reminding that, deeply serious though it is, abortion is not an unforgivable sin. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” (Is 1) Our God is gracious - the blood of Jesus washes all sin away. Women who have had an abortion need to be invited to come to Christ for this forgiveness, and all of us who might talk to such women need the confidence to go as far as the gospel goes in assuring complete and everlasting forgiveness.
3. Encourage community: Some women will benefit from extended opportunities to talk through their experiences. Non-Christian women can be considerably helped just by the chance to speak, but they can also be offered the uniquely precious gospel of Christ which alone can bring real freedom from horribly oppressive guilt. Alongside deliberate talking, deepening friendships of genuine compassion and affection are essential to communicate the reality of Christ’s acceptance.
4. Provide counselling: Many Crisis Pregnancy Centres offer post-abortion counselling. Typically offering a process over 12 or more sessions, trained counsellors help women move through the sometimes debilitating guilt and sorrow. Such support is a compassionate response to a serious but unmet need in our sin-ridden world.

Andrew Nicholls is the pastor of Christ Church, Kingston. Before moving into full time ministry, he was a doctor.