ABORTION HEALING RESOURCES FOR WOMEN AND MEN OFFERED BY ARCHDIOCESE THROUGH BY YOUR SIDE LA
April 3, 2019  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

On the heels of the wide release of the film Unplanned, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles encourages women and men to find healing from the pain following abortion and life-affirming resources from the Archdiocese’s support program, By Your Side LA (www.ByYourSideLA.org). Through By Your Side LA, the Archdiocese offers healing conversations and referrals for mental health, support group and/or retreat resources for women and men in need of healing from abortion from trained Merciful Companions by phone or online.

Unplanned tells the story of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director who experienced a conversion of heart after seeing an ultrasound-guided abortion and understanding first-hand what abortion does to an unborn child. The portrayal of abortion in Unplanned may trigger strong reactions in those who have experienced abortion.

“Unplanned is a movie that will make you uncomfortable. In a country with so much talk about abortion, there is very little understanding of what abortion actually is, what abortion does. Unplanned changes that. It’s honest portrayal of the reality of abortion leaves no room for euphemisms,” said Kathleen Domingo, Senior Director of the Archdiocese’s Office of Life, Justice and Peace. “We recognize that approximately 1 in 4 women nationwide have personal experience with abortion. We know that there are women and girls in every one of our parishes, and in our schools and youth ministry programs, who have been hurt by abortion. Unplanned shares the story of forgiveness and healing for those who have experienced abortion. We invite anyone who has been hurt by abortion to find peace.” 

Johnson is a faithful and articulate advocate for life and was one of the invited guest speakers at this year’s OneLife LA organized by the Archdiocese’s Office of Life Justice and Peace. Each day in Southern California, approximately 225 women opt for an abortion and the consequences can involve severe depression, trauma, passive aggressive behavior and grief due to their loss.

“Unplanned is a powerful tool that can be used to evangelize the truth of the beauty and dignity of every human life and our call to defend the lives of all people, born and unborn. Unplanned beautifully depicts the transformative power of mercy and human kindness,” added Domingo.

Additional resources for use in parishes, schools, and youth ministries can be found at http://archla.org/unplanned and By Your Side LA video is available at https://www.facebook.com/byyoursidela/videos/263524467863279/.