This essay and poem are published on Facebook by Harbour Faith Community in Northern Ireland.
Amidst everything that’s going on, you might not have noticed that Northern Ireland’s new abortion laws came into force today.
It’s obviously an emotive topic for many, so it’s tempting to just say nothing and avoid the controversy altogether. On the other hand, for the sake of balance, we want people to know that there is more than just one Christian response to the issue.
Click the image to visit Harbour Faith Community.
For some of us, we appreciate that the legislation has been necessary to bring women’s reproductive rights in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK and Ireland. In terms of legal protections for women and medical staff over here, it’s a common-sense step in the right direction.
There is much more to be done, however, in terms of the stigma around abortion access. In this respect, we as the church could do a lot better. The theological argument itself is far from settled (for example, the biblical text consistently implies that terrestrial life begins with ‘breath’, rather than with conception) and that’s to say nothing of the complex philosophical discussion.
But debates aside for now, we must remember that there are real women and real families who have to make very difficult and personal decisions around crisis pregnancies. When this happens, they will need compassionate and understanding pastoral care. The one thing sure to make things worse is yet more judgmental finger pointing and virtue signaling from the church.
So let’s please be careful with the words and imagery we use here, especially from faith leaders on social media. You don’t know what she’s been through, and chances are she needs your love and support now more than ever.
"𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄" by Judith Arcana
You think I didn’t care about that baby,
didn’t wonder if we’d like each other
when she turned fourteen;
didn’t think he’d follow anywhere
his older brother went.
You think we take them out, like gangsters;
disappear them, like generals.
You don’t know how
it works then, do you?
You don’t know what
sits on both sides of the scale,
what it means to decide:
what I got and what I gave,
gave that baby I didn’t have,
baby who couldn’t make me laugh —
applesauce upside down on her head;
couldn’t make me cry —
taking his first step right off the porch.
You don’t even know that this is not about regret.
You don’t know one blessèd, I say blessèd, thing about it.
Click the image to see the original Facebook post.