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These statistics show conclusively that abortion has a persistent negative impact on the mental health of a large majority of women who have had abortions (in comparison to those who do not). The above study implies that the bond between mother and preborn infant is quite strong even if there is anxiety or distress about the pregnancy. As we discussed earlier, our transcendental desires do not go away if we ignore them. It seems that a significant percentage of women have strong feelings of maternal care, responsibility, and protectiveness even if the pregnancy is surprising or distressing. Abortions are not only destructive to preborn babies, but also to the emotional health of women who have them. Some might say it is harsh or cruel to point out the emotional damage done to women by abortion. But what is truly cruel is to conceal this reality and pretend it does not exist. Truly, women deserve better than abortion. What can we do to help those who are experiencing what is known as post abortion syndrome? There are several Catholic and social counseling services that are directed at helping women through the process of grieving, depression, and guilt. ■ Project Rachel, sponsored by the US Council of Catholic Bishops, 10 is a network of diocesan ministries in almost every state, of priests and counselors who provide pastoral and counseling services, retreats, support groups, and referrals to clinical professionals to help women overcome the emotional effects of abortion. Abortions are not only destructive to preborn babies, but also to the emotional health of women who have them. ■ Rachel’s Vineyard is a ministry 11 that offers individual counseling, support groups, and retreat experience to help women overcome the negative emotional effects of abortion. ■ Life Perspectives offers education and resources to professionals and care providers to help them offer health and services to women and families suffering from abortion and miscarriage. 12 They offer an extensive list of resources in various geographical areas specifically to help women with emotional problems after abortion. 13 Simply enter your location on the map, and you will be given dozens of resources for counseling and support groups in that location. 14 Many of us know women who are suffering silently but fearful of revealing their anxiety and depression to others. If you are aware of these increased anxiety levels in your friends, be a good Samaritan and suggest a faithful counseling service or group support near you. They will receive help, not judgment. © Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 5, Chapter 13: Abortion 293
Legal Rights: Civil or political rights declared into existence by governments, such as the right to a jury trial, or to vote in certain elections. Because they are granted by the state, civil or political rights may also be justly suspended or revoked if the need arises, due process is provided, and inalienable rights are respected. Inalienable Rights: Rights gifted by God that belong to all persons by their very humanity, such as rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happines. They are necessary to act according to human nature and cannot be arbitrarily negated by any government, court, or vote. The Violation of Inalienable Rights: Slavery and Abortion As may now be apparent, the idea of personhood is exceedingly important. As we have learned, though the single-celled human zygote that comes into being at conception is less developed, it is indisputably a unique substantially whole self-actualizing human being. Furthermore, for centuries, “person” was identified with “human being.” For example, the 18th century English code of law, known as “common law,” understood the pre-born human being to be “in contemplation of the law” a legal person with legal rights. 15 The notion of personhood is so important because it is a recognition of the legal status of a human being and a recognition of his or her inalienable and legal rights. Thus, to deny that someone is a person could lead to the denial of their legal rights. There is a difference, however, between a person’s legal rights given to them by the State and the inalienable rights that belong to human beings by their very humanity. Legal rights are those civil or political rights declared into existence by governments, such as the right to a jury trial, or to vote in certain elections. Because legal rights are given by the authority of the State, the State may have the power to suspend or nullify them if the need arises and proper protocol is followed. On the other hand, an inalienable right is one that is necessary to be human — necessary to act according to human nature. Thus, if a human being exists, so also does his or her inalienable rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. Any government, court, or vote that attempts to arbitrarily negate them is unjust and illegitimate. Because inalienable rights belong to a person by their very human existence, we can know whether something is an inalienable right by asking, “Is this supposed ‘right’ necessary for somebody to be human — to act according to human nature?” Using this criterion, we can see that the rights to life, and freedom, must be inalienable rights because one needs to be alive in order to act according to human nature. So also, one needs to have a reasonable amount of freedom (control over ones’ livelihood and destiny) to exercise uniquely human characteristics — intellectual creativity and the freedom to love and do good (or to be unloving and do evil). Thus, without life or freedom, we cannot be human — we cannot act according to human nature. What about other potential rights? Is abortion an inalienable right? Though the Supreme Court declared that abortion is a constitutional “right,” it cannot be considered an inalienable right, because having 294 Apologetics II: Challenges of the Modern World © Magis Center
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Page 3 and 4: Chapter 13 The Grave Injustice of A
Page 5 and 6: Accidentals: Non-essential qualitie
Page 7 and 8: Do Unborn Babies Have Souls? As we
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Page 15 and 16: Once classified as nonpersons, Afri
Page 17 and 18: as the First Virginia Statute and t
Page 19: Though governments are bound by the

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