Wauwatosa pro-life conference challenges, encourages post-abortion caregivers

WAUWATOSA — Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan., challenged and encouraged post-abortion caregivers to see those who seek their help “as the Lord sees them – beyond their weakness – and to call them to wholeness.”

He made his remarks during an Oct. 28 keynote address at the 13th annual Healing Vision Conference, at the Radisson Hotel in Wauwatosa. Organizers characterized the four-day event, Oct. 26-29, as “a think tank conference of academics, medical professionals, mental health experts and caregivers gathered to share resources and research, and (to) network.”

Archbishop Naumann, 62, employed personal stories and biblical passages as he urged his audience to help clients, “pained and in anger” after undergoing or being otherwise involved in abortions, to:

• experience God’s mercy and be able to forgive themselves;
• “be empowered to forgive others” who might have been instrumental in their abortions;
• realize that God is able to turn “terrible tragedy” into “good in their lives – a great grace.”

The archbishop recalled a young couple, parishioners when he was a newly ordained priest in his native St. Louis more than 35 years ago. The couple’s toddler son was killed after darting into the path of a delivery truck and Fr. Naumann witnessed at close hand the parents’ “profound grief.” Sadly, there was also guilt, something women who experience abortions also often feel.

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