Courtney McGrailDear Editor, I was interested to read the letters of Gearoid Duffy’s and James Rourke (IC 3/11/16) on the theme of remembrance/atonement in regard to babies who have died through abortion. A friend and I had a similar idea, and you were kind enough to publish a letter of mine along these lines a few years ago.
Our idea was to create a remembrance service similar to that held for babies who have died through miscarriage. As well as giving everyone the opportunity of acknowledging, honouring and remembering all our lost babies, we had envisioned the service to be one where grieving parents who regretted their abortion could also attend and contribute – this on a completely anonymous basis. The hope would be that such a remembrance service could be the start of a healing process for these parents. But, we all need healing: the Church, the wider community, the world. We all need healing from the terrible wound that abortion has inflicted on us.
We would be proud if the Catholic Church could lead the way on this, but would also hope the remembrance service could be extended, in time, to include those of other faiths and none.
My friend and I have put this idea to several parish councils, priests and even bishops, but not one has responded positively. We believe now that it may have to be grassroots Catholics, or others, who begin this process, which is why it is heartening to read the letters from the above contributors.
By staying silent, are we not conspiring in the prevailing myth that these lives did not and do not matter?
Yours etc.,
Hannah Green,
Drumcondra, Dublin 9.