The bad news is: As human beings we are capable of making very bad decisions that can have life long consequences.

The good news is: There is a God who offers hope and healing.

My wife and I had been married for 17 years with 2 children, but our marriage seemed to be crumbling. As I planned to divorce my wife something unplanned happened. She informed me she was pregnant. She hoped it could be a new beginning for us. Unfortunately, I did not share her optimism and my ides of a new beginning was much different than hers. I even went so far as accusing her of having an affair in an attempt to rid myself of the responsibility of fathering another child I would not be around to raise. I quickly decided to schedule an abortion against her wishes and forced her to go through with it. This resulted in the taking of a life and the breaking of a life as she saw her hopes shattered.

Eventually, we separated. I moved about 50 miles from our home and started the divorce process. I really thought I was happy in my new found single life until one day, I realized how lost I was and how much I needed Jesus. I asked him to forgive me for all my sins, including the terrible decision to abort my child. Fortunately, God is willing to forgive us for all of the dreadful things we’ve done. The bible tells in 1 John 1:19 if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse is from all unrighteousness.

I’m happy to report that after making that important decision, my wife and I were reunited. We dismissed the divorce lawyer and renewed our vows. We truly are living proof that with God all things are possible.

On Nov 16, 2003 we celebrated our 29^th anniversary.

-Charlie Stronconi
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In Sorrow and Sadness

How do I apologize?  How do I apologize for the single most selfish and horrible act of my life, the act of killing our child?  The fact is that I can’t.  I can’t even hope to, it is too incredible to imagine. 

When you told me that you were pregnant, I did not want to listen.  I did not want to hear it.  I did not want to believe it.  I wanted it not to be true…then, I wanted you to go away.  You said you would.  You said that you would go somewhere and have the baby by yourself.  I panicked, we were young, we had futures, we had plans, and being responsible for a child was not included in them. 

I suggested the abortion.  It was my idea.  You might have considered it, I do not know because I never asked.  I was the one to say it, to suggest it, to get the telephone number for you to call, and to push you to make the appointment.  I drove you to the clinic and I paid the executioner.  I destroyed both of us and the life of our child. 

The idea of apologizing seems so ridiculous to me.  As if saying the words, “I’m sorry” could somehow compensate for what I did.  I am sorry, I am sorrier than I could have ever imagined and these words I truly mean.  I am sorry that I killed our first child.  If I had it to do over again, I would take another path, one that would have given our child a chance to live her own life. 

I know that it does not help to lessen the pain.  I know that it does not right the wrong.  I know that it does not bring back our precious child.  I know that now and I am sorry, so very sorry. 

I hope and pray for forgiveness, from you, from our child and from Our Lord Himself.  I hope for an end to your pain and suffering as well.  I wish for you what I wish for myself; happiness and a joyous reunion with our children one day.   

-James
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Boy, does that phrase trigger memories of my daughter’s death by abortion.  Twenty-seven years later, the painful memories still come flooding back. Mary Beth and I were walking through the big department stores in the mall.  It was the Saturday before Father’s Day.  People were shopping for their fathers and with their fathers. Stacks of bright sport shirts, ties and golf clothing were everywhere.  Large posters with pictures of handsome, happy fathers holding their beautiful children hung all over the stores.

I remember feeling as though my soul twisted and snapped.  Father’s Day was very painful that year.  It was as if it slammed into me and made me face that I had done; what no father should ever do – participate in the death of his firstborn daughter. How could I have denied my daughter her life? How could I have agreed to the abortion and paid for it? It was less than a month since my daughter had been aborted.

I carried that pain and guilt in secret all for many years.  I never spoke to anyone about the abortion, and although I have told some family members and attended a ministry, I still have not been able to tell my own Dad about his granddaughter who was aborted.

I pray to God the Father for the grace to tell my Dad.  I pray for the grace of continued healing. I pray that St. Joseph – Father of the Holy Family – leads all fathers of aborted children to God’s ministers of mercy.  I also thank God for the privilege of being a father to three children in heaven, and one on earth. Lastly, I thank Him for the gift of my Dad and the loving example of fatherhood that he has given me.

May God Bless all father’s this Father’s Day.

Thomas
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