Graphic Abortion Images

Gregg Cunningham, of the Genocide Awareness Program (GAP), (“Graphic Abortion Images” Nov.29-Dec.5) is to be highly praised for his early retirement from the Air Force in order to defend life full time. It is every prolifer's dream.

While he contrasts the accepted practice of displaying pictures of the Holocaust [to] the reluctance of some pro-lifers to display pictures of aborted babies publicly, Mr. Cunningham raises an important question, “Why is this form of genocide [abortion] different?”

In essence, abortion as genocide is not different from the Holocaust as genocide. (Abortion may even be considered as the worst form of genocide, because the unborn are so utterly defenseless.)

However, exposing the harsh reality of abortion is more complex than exposing the reality of the Holocaust. This is because we need to consider the millions of “walking wounded,” as Vickie Thorne of Project Rachel calls them. These are the men and women among us who have also suffered the trauma of abortion, along with the unborn.

For those who have been traumatized by abortion, photographs of aborted babies may increase their burden of guilt, shame, and hopelessness, and may even lead some to despair. Perhaps, a few of the people who reacted violently to GAP's billboards were actually suffering from post-abortion trauma and, unfortunately, were acting out of their grief and sense of hopelessness.

We must also consider the effect of graphic abortion images on children, especially those who may already suffer an overload of graphically violent images. Do the abortion photos only reinforce the sense of hopelessness, and consequent desensitization, which violence engenders in their minds? What effect do the images have on the siblings of aborted children; i.e. those who may have been told about the abortion or have perceived their loss deep within their psyche? Finally, what effect do they have on the women having abortions who are really children themselves and have not developed the maturity to deal with those images? So, we must also ask: How can we use a method of activism which may cauterize some, while at the same time traumatizing others? Is it compassionate to drive to despair someone who is in need of your mercy?

Those who have been through the abortion experience and have been healed may continue to find that they are highly sensitive to the pictures. Perhaps it is a scar which the Lord allows them to bear and which thus becomes a valuable part of their witness, along with their past experience and their deep knowledge of the mercy of God.

By their Christian vocation, pro-lifers are first and foremost called to be healers of the wound of abortion. There are obviously no simple answers to this complex situation, but unity in Christ's love and a compassionate activism need to be the bottom line. Furthermore, the pro-life movement will not be effective until it includes the vital witness of men and women who have been through the abortion experience. For those who have been healed, their conversion of heart speaks most eloquently of the sanctity of life and the hope to which all Christians have been called.

Maria Clare Blessed by the Cross Association Batavia, New York

Fax: (203) 288-5157; e-mail: [email protected]