Abortion's effect on men

The Knights of Columbus are putting together what looks to be the largest gathering to date that focuses on the effect of abortion on men. This is great news, as this is a much-overlooked facet of the tragedy of abortion. One should not assume that all men pressure their women to have abortions, or that all men are relieved when their women have an abortion. From my limited experience praying in front of an abortion clinic during my time in Dallas, I was surprised to find that several men were desperately trying to talk their women out of the abortion. Since the woman carried the child, I had long neglected the impact of abortion on the father. But since it takes a man and a woman to create a child, abortion healing will always be needed for both of them. As we try to move beyond the current "crisis of manhood" caused by artificial contraception, pornography, divorce and abortion, conferences such as this will be invaluable. I can't help but see a connection between the downplaying of the role of the father in the abortion tragedy and the mocking of fatherhood we so often see on television and film. The expectations for men in society (and fathers in particular) have become incredibly low, and it's time for men to step up to the plate again.

The conference will take place Nov. 28-29 in San Francisco. Vicki Thorn, of the Milwaukee-based Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation, is organizing the conference. From the Knights:

"As an organization of lay men that has a strong history and commitment to life, we think it is very important to highlight the issues faced by those fathers whose children are aborted," said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "There are three victims of every abortion, the child and both of his or her parents, and it is our hope that this conference will be the beginning of a ministry within the Church to these fathers, who grieve the death of their unborn child in isolation and silence."

and . . .

Experts from a variety of backgrounds and countries – including several therapists – will cover topics including men's healing process after abortion; abortion's effects on men's spirituality; fatherhood and abortion; and why men who have been involved in abortion come for help.

Anderson and Thorn believe the "Reclaiming Fatherhood" conference could help men deal with the psychological trauma of post-abortion reality the way Project Rachel — the Catholic post-abortion healing ministry Thorn founded — has helped women who have undergone abortions deal with their emotional and spiritual scars.

In April 2008, the Knights of Columbus are also sponsoring an international conference on the effects of abortion on parents, and the effects of divorce on children. That conference will be held in Rome – co-sponsored by the Knights and the Rome session of the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.