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Home / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 / Local Catholics gather to pray for healing, end to abortion

by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published January 25, 2008

Kristen Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic Robert Burke spoke of his experience with abortion at a recent Mass for the Unborn at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit.

Metro Area — Those who attended the memorial Mass for the unborn at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament last week came to pray for the unborn, to show their respect for human life, and to find healing.

Several hundred people braved frigid temperatures to attend Mass, during which the congregation prayed for those to respect life, for those who may have had an abortion to receive God's mercy, and for those considering abortion to choose life. The congregation was invited to write in a prayer book their own requests — many for their own unborn children.

The Mass was sponsored by Project Rachel, the program that seeks to bring about reconciliation and healing of those suffering from the psychological and spiritual after-effects of having been involved in abortion. Although the event usually focuses on women, men may also experience guilt and sorrow as a result of their involvement.

Offering a man's perspective of participating in abortion was Robert Burke, who gave testimony to the congregation after communion. He spoke of how his then-fiancée's abortion seemed like any other medical procedure, and that he was more worried about himself than the child.

"I do not recall being concerned for the child," he said during his testimony.

Earlier in the week, Burke talked about how he became concerned with pleasing others to find acceptance, stemming from when his father left during his childhood. "All I did was think about me and things affecting me," he said. "When you think about yourself, there's not room to think about God and other people."

Although Burke had been a cradle Catholic, as he grew older he found himself turning away from God. He entered the Navy five days after graduating from high school, and got caught up in the practice of chasing women. He became involved with a woman who suffered a miscarriage after he pushed her away, accidentally knocking her down.

"I take responsibility for that," he said. "That was the first lost life."

Three years later, out of the Navy, he entered into a similar relationship and his fiancée became pregnant, but she clearly didn't want children and opted for an abortion, which he supported to gain her acceptance. "I made no attempt to talk her out of it," he remembers. They were not married long.

He eventually met his current and true wife, he says, and they've been married for 11 years now. He has grown stepchildren and is a grandfather.

About four years ago, he started on the path to God's forgiveness after sending out a heartfelt prayer. During his hour and a half commute, which he uses to pray and listen to the Bible on CD, he prayed for help in his life. When he came into work, he'd found an e-mail invitation to attend a work Bible study — something he hadn't even known existed.

Not long after that, he discovered Catholic radio when the FM on his car went out and he had to surf AM stations. It was listening to Catholic radio where he heard about the Catholic Conference for Men, which he attended and was moved to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation — for the first time in about 20 years, he said.

"God's mercy started getting poured into my life," he said.

About a year and a half ago, his wife, Michelle, took a position with Michigan Right to Life, which allowed him to be involved with the organization — and share his story a little bit at a time. It was through sharing his story he was invited to a Rachel's Vineyard retreat for post-abortive men, where he was able to validate, name and acknowledge the existence of his two children, who now live in God.

"One day I'll be able to see them, and they will be in the body as God intended for them," he said. "It gives me hope."

Now, Burke serves as board president of the Monroe County Right to Life, and encourages men to get involved in the pro-life movement. "Men need to come out more — stand up for God and the dignity of the human person," he said. "Abortion is a huge travesty in our nation. It speaks to how far we've gone from God as a nation. Something's wrong when we let so many innocent lives die."

Emily Asbury, 17, a member of St. Cletus Parish who attended the Mass for the unborn, said men also need to speak out of their involvement with abortion, too. "It's important to hear their stories," she said.

She said it's also important to attend such Masses so the pro-life movement is kept at the forefront of people's minds, she said.

Shelley, who asked her last name not be used because she has had an abortion, also attended the Mass. "This Mass honors and remembers all the innocent life whose blood was shed through the violent act of abortion," she said. "Their souls cannot be forgotten.

"This Mass is important because we are publicly coming together as a people to mourn the loss of life, something our society in general does not recognize."

We need to address post-abortive men and women because they, too, are suffering, she said. Although abortion is a terrible sin, she said, it's not unforgivable — "and there is hope for their futures," she added.

After the Mass for the unborn, Burke was also headed to share his testimony at a pro-life march in Monroe, and then to Washington, D.C. to share his testimony on the steps of the Supreme Court. "It's going to be a very powerful experience," he said.

Project Rachel also offers retreats and other opportunities for people suffering post-abortion symptoms to begin healing.
Call (888) 722-4355, or www.rachelsvineyard.org.