Letter from Two Catholic Women Arrested at Notre Dame
5/13/2009
Catholic Online (www.catholiconline.com)
We held signs that say “I Regret My Abortion”. We also gave our testimonies and
prayed the Rosary with other Catholics who supported us.
We are confused, Fr. Jenkins. Why would a Catholic University bar Catholic women
from speaking the truth about a fundamental Catholic teaching, under the signage
of a healing program that is sponsored by a Catholic priest, while praying the
Rosary? Yet, the University would welcome, honor and have a person speak at
Commencement who is virulently opposed to this same fundamental Catholic
teaching?
DENVER (Catholic Online) - Jane Brennan has written for Catholic Online in the
past. She is the author of the book 'Motherhood Interrupted' and is the Silent
No More Awareness Campaign regional coordinator in Colorado. She and her
colleague were arrested for their peaceful and silent witness on the campus of
Notre Dame. They sent this letter to Fr. Jenkins, President of Notre Dame:
An Open Letter to Fr. John Jenkins
President
University of Notre Dame
Dear Fr. Jenkins,
We are writing this letter to you in hopes that you can clear something up for
us.
We are two Catholic women who reside in the State of Colorado. We made tragic
mistakes in our younger years by having abortions. We came to the University of
Notre Dame last Friday, May 8, to witness to the harm caused to us by our
“choice.” We held signs that say “I Regret My Abortion”. We also gave our
testimonies and prayed the Rosary with other Catholics who supported us.
We did this in hopes of saving young women years of pain, shame and guilt. We
did this because college aged women have the most abortions. We did this because
we wanted these young women to know that women deserve better than abortion and
that women can achieve the things that they want without having their babies
killed. We did this because we believe in the fundamental right to life of all
human beings who are created in the image and likeness of God which is a
dogmatic teaching of the Catholic Church.
We have both attended Project Rachel and Rachel’s Vineyard retreats – both
Catholic healing programs for those suffering from abortion. We then joined “The
Silent No More Awareness campaign”, a program sponsored by a Catholic Priest –
Fr. Frank Pavone.
In all of these programs we were taught about the acceptance and mercy of God
and our fellow Catholics. Also, in these programs we were encouraged to seek the
counsel of a Catholic Priest – that they would help us to find redemption in the
sacrament of reconciliation. We were also encouraged to share our stories so
that the Catholic community and the greater community at large could hear first
hand of the devastating effects of abortion.
While speaking these truths on Friday we were issued a Trespass Notice by
security officers hired by the University that in part states “The University
has the right to tell us that we are not wanted on University property.”
Imagine our shock after receiving this notice and being barred from speaking
further, we were arrested and thrown in jail. We spent the day in a holding cell
until we posted a $250 bond. As we now understand things, we are awaiting news
as to whether the charges against us will be misdemeanor trespassing or a
felony. This happened all because we wanted the students to know through our
stories how devastating abortion is to women.
We are confused, Fr. Jenkins. Why would a Catholic University bar Catholic women
from speaking the truth about a fundamental Catholic teaching, under the signage
of a healing program that is sponsored by a Catholic priest, while praying the
Rosary? Yet, the University would welcome, honor and have a person speak at
Commencement who is virulently opposed to this same fundamental Catholic
teaching?
Fr. Jenkins can you please explain this to us?
We look forward to your response.
Jane Brennan, MS
Laura Rohling
Centennial, CO
www.motherhoodinterrupted.com
-----
Jane Brennan, MS is the author of the book Motherhood Interrupted and is the
Silent No More Awareness Campaign regional coordinator in Colorado. Jane can be
contacted through her web-site at www.motherhoodinterrupted.com She resides in
Colorado with her husband and four daughters.
2009 Clippings
|
