BLOG POST | Hey Deacon!

Here’s a story that I find might soften the hearts of pro-choice advocates.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade on the legality that abortion is not a Constitutional Right; stating the decision on abortion rights is a state issue and not a federal issue.   While this decision furthered the discord between pro-life and pro-abortion advocates, it is a reminder that more work needs to be done to change hearts.  With that being said, I share this story by Catholic writer and speaker, Judy Landrieu Klein.

Five years ago, Judy boarded a flight as she headed home to New Orleans.  While checking her email, she noticed a young woman had sat down next to her.  The woman turned to Judy and asked, “Where are you coming from?”

Judy replied, “I spoke at a Catholic conference in St. Louis.  I’m headed home to New Orleans.”

The young woman introduced herself as Paige.  She shared that she was getting married soon and that she and her Jewish fiancé had traveled to Israel for a visit to attend a friend’s bar mitzvah. She disclosed her horror over routine violence that is part of life in Israel, especially as Muslim extremists engaged in random acts of violence against the Jewish people. They both agreed that the world needs much less hatred and violence and much more love.

Paige shared that her parents had raised her without faith, even though they’d sent her to Catholic schools her whole life. The conversation somehow turned to abortion. “I know you’re Catholic,” Paige said unapologetically, “but I’m totally pro-choice. One of my best friends is an ob-gyn who wants to learn how to do late-term abortions. She feels badly for people who really want to be parents, really want a baby, and then find out their child has some unsurvivable abnormality. They’re totally stuck, you know, because Louisiana law prevents them from having a late-term abortion.”

Judy replied gingerly, using her kindest voice, “It would indeed be a horrible suffering to learn that your baby was going to die within hours of birth. But what would be even worse is being stuck for the rest of your life with the knowledge that you had caused their death.”

Paige’s eyes grew larger.

Judy continued, “I know of people who have lived through this,” sharing the story of presidential candidate Rick Santorum and his wife, Karen. “They were able to welcome their son, Gabriel, into the world, baptize him, hold him in their arms and shower him with love for at least a few hours. That was a very merciful way of dealing with both themselves and the child.”

Seeing that she still had Paige’s attention, Judy reinforced, “We both agree that we need more love in the world. And that’s precisely why I’m against capital punishment, war and violence against Jews, women and babies in the womb. Abortion is a very violent act against both the woman and the baby. We could use so much more love across the board in the world.”

When Judy had finished talking, she laughed a bit nervously and said, “You must think I’m crazy telling you all of this on a plane.”  Paige replied, “No, I’m listening…I’m listening to what you’re saying.”

The plane touched down and they both exchanged goodbyes.  Judy smiled and said, “It was really nice talking to you, Paige. God bless you.”

With that, an hour plane ride offered the unexpected gift of a defense of human life. Because while Paige was raised without faith, she was raised with love. And anyone can understand the logic of love, including someone who’s “totally pro-choice.”



Author Bio:
Deacon Dan Vaughn