How Important is "Recovery" for an Individual or Family Emotionally and Psychologically Impacted by Abortion?

I think a greater level of healing would be required for that kind of involvement, but healing can be helped by getting involved. It worked that way for me.

As a post-abortive woman myself, I definetely think that healing is crucial before a woman, or man, becomes actively involved in a public support of the pro-life movement; especially if she will be counseling woman who may come to a CPC and may have abortion on the mind. Sydne Masse's series for post abortive women addresses just this. We need to learn to address our bitterness, anger, grief, why we chose abortion, and realize that Jesus loves us. That we are forgiven. I have been through an 11 week recovery class and co-lead it this year. I hope to lead it some day myself.

After my abortion it took me three years of self-loathing to finally come to terms with what I had done.  I only came about to fighting the pro-life cause last year.  

Marie

Very Important.  Even though the family member may not be the person involved in the abortion, the abortion has affected them.  My suggestion is to attend a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat.  A retreat can be found in all areas in the U.S. & around the world at RachelsVineyard.org.  The other thing that will happen with this retreat besides healing, will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, leading the individual on a closer path to discerning what God has planned for one's life.

I will dissent with everyone in this thread. No, no, a thousand times no.

I have lost my mother, and it was the most painful thing that I had ever gone through. I was suicidal. And 17. I did not go through professional counselling for help with my bereavement, because I knew my family wouldn't take me. I am still hurting from the loss, just as any person reeling from an abortion would be. But each person will have to go through grief, anxiety, depression in some cases -- just because we go through these phases, doesn't mean we can't pick ourselves up.

Now, I'll be frank -- if someone has a severe blow to his mental stability, say, schizophrenia, then probably yes. But the whole point of my response is this: Just because someone is weak and feeling strong emotions from something he's done or experienced, doesn't mean he is any less qualified for whatever mission he has in hand. There are situations whereby that same weakness can become a person's strength, and that is essentially true for counselling. I know a seminarian friend of mine who did go through a period of suicidal feeling, who has the same situation as me (in that we are the only ones in our respective families practising the Faith), but those weaknesses have not impaired him.

People find recovery in different ways, some don't find it at all. But to say that someone must completely recover or else he cannot serve, is tantamount to saying that he must be born completely able, or be aborted. Or, it could be tantamount to saying that a person must not be a sinner, or else he cannot serve others. For crying out loud, we all have weaknesses!

There is an actress on October Baby who found recovery only when getting involved in a pro-life film. Before that, she had not recovered. The cast accepted her nonetheless, because her role was simply to inspire, by her actions, her experience, her weaknesses.

I rest my case.

Annette...

If people have experienced an abortion and wish to work with others, speak publicaly or involve themselves in the lives of others... it is paramount that they be the best mind emotionally.  Too many times we see Christian leaders who have not processed their own grief, guilt or other issues... only to further wound those in their care.

The death of a parent is quite different that taking the life of one's own child.