By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/8/04)

When Office of Family Life Director Bob Laird opened the 2000 World Almanac, he noticed an interesting detail. Mortality rates and abortion statistics were on facing pages. The layout was suggestive of an interesting insight. While deaths by abortion were not included among mortality rates, they were considered deaths nonetheless, suggesting that people are aware of the humanity of the unborn.

Laird began tracking statistics in the Diocese of Arlington in a similar fashion, with annual mortality rates alongside reported abortion statistics. The combined statistics for 2000 indicated that 39.2 percent of the deaths in the diocese were due to abortion, making abortion the leading cause of death.

But reports from those who work in the field confirm that cultural attitudes about abortion are shifting, and the latest figures suggest a hopeful trend. While national figures indicate a gradual overall decline of about 3 percent in the number of abortions performed annually, abortions in the Arlington Diocese have declined sharply, going from 10,713 in 2000 to 9,368 in 2001 to 8,679 in 2002. Abortions in the state took a big dip from 27,999 in 2000 to 24,586 in 2001. While there was an increase of about 400 statewide in 2002, there were about 600 less abortions in the diocese during the same period.

Within the diocese, Falls Church maintains the highest rate of deaths due to abortion at 98.6 percent; Fairfax City is right behind at 85.4 percent, then comes Alexandria at 82.1 percent and Manassas at 77.4 percent.

Laird believes the steady decline in abortion within the diocese can be attributed to several efforts that constitute a "consistent ethic of life." Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde’s monthly respect life Mass and regular witness outside of abortion clinics, coupled with diocesan-wide education and outreach efforts are making a difference. Legislation is also having an impact.

Laird believes the steady decline in abortion within the diocese can be attributed to several efforts that constitute a "consistent ethic of life." Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde’s monthly respect life Mass and regular witness outside of abortion clinics, coupled with diocesan-wide education and outreach efforts are making a difference. Legislation is also having an impact.

Delegate Dick Black, R-32^nd, said recent measures, including an informed consent, a mandatory 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortion and a strong parental consent law have begun "to take effect." Unlike years past, Black noted that young Catholic politicians who come up through the ranks adhere to Church teaching on life. Senators Jay O’Brien, Ken Cuccinelli and Richmond Senator Chuck Colgan are examples, he said of legislators who hold fast to their Catholic values in public and private spheres.

"The pro-abortion movement is growing old. The old establishment power brokers who have no problem killing children are losing their foothold within the state legislature and young people coming into positions of power are pro-life," Black said.

Moreover, he believes the tremendous media focus on abortion during the last session, the pervasive idea that abortion hurts women and children, and heightened public awareness about abortion during recent partial-birth abortion ban hearings are indicative of a growing cultural shift in attitudes about abortion.

Laird believes that increased demand for services and the steady decline in abortion figures in the diocese are signs that a shift is well underway.

Year-end reports on Project Rachel, a program that serves post-abortive men and women, and Project Gabriel, a parish-based program that offers material, financial and spiritual support to women in need, show significant increase in requests for help throughout the diocese. In 2003, Project Rachel clients increased by 22.6 percent and Project Gabriel clients increased by 66.7 percent.

Although the diocese has always offered crisis pregnancy help, Gerri Laird, director of Project Rachel, said messaging is "key."

"If I am outside of a clinic and want to offer someone an alternative, I have to look like I love her with open arms whether she carries her child through pregnancy or aborts. Forty-eight percent of women seeking abortion are already post-abortive and graphic signs or messages that condemn only drive them away."

Laird said both programs have picked up more clients looking for abortion, but few are hostile and many open to alternatives when help is assured.

"When someone sees that no matter what her needs are, we can break down the obstacles, it’s possible to get her to think beyond abortion. Prenatal care, supportive friends, counseling and material assistance can help," she said.

Project Rachel staff have also devoted more attention to outreach to men. When guys call looking for abortion for their girlfriends, a brochure that describes fetal development often brings home the reality.

"Most are surprised and interested when they learn what their baby can do at a certain stage of development. When the humanity of the baby registers, many will rethink their position on abortion."

Still, Laird said some refuse to consider alternatives even when they are aware of the reality. The obstacles or pressure to abort feels too difficult for some men and women to overcome, and adoption seems worse than abortion.

Workers at local crisis pregnancy centers that work closely with the diocese made similar observations. Edel Finnegan, director of A Woman’s Choice in Falls Church, said people are more receptive now to the pro-life message than they were when she took the job eight years ago. She believes that educational and outreach efforts, coupled with kindness and compassion of those who serve people affected by abortion, have begun to turn the tide on attitudes about abortion.

"Most people understand the humanity of the unborn and the dangers of abortion to women. It is rare to talk to a woman who is not aware that she is pregnant with her child. My colleagues across the country say the same thing," Finnigan said.

Yet, Finnigan said knowledge of the facts does not translate directly into choosing life. Because most people recognize the humanity of the unborn, those who are abortion-minded are more adamant. In some instances, clients view failed contraception as the culprit for their pregnancy and feel abortion is justified.

"Women who become pregnant even with contraception often feel the pregnancy is the pill’s fault," Finnigan said. "It is difficult to change sexual behavior, especially when society says it is okay."

Of the 800 clients A Woman’s Choice serves annually, approximately 450 seek help for unplanned pregnancies.

Mary Beth Bonacci, a nationally known author and chastity expert, said her experience suggests that young people are indeed more pro-life and have begun to embrace abstinence.

"Young people in general are more pro-life. It’s a coalescence of factors — high resolution imaging technologies, the chastity movement has had a generation to work, and other factors," Bonacci said.

Psychologist Stan Weed, a widely published researcher, said a close analysis of data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office of Population Affairs at HHS, the National Adolescent Reproductive Health Partnership, the Centers for Disease Control and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPF), shows that contraception use among teens has not increased, while teen pregnancy rates have dropped. In addition, he said national surveys indicate that more teens are embracing abstinence.

Despite the positive trends locally and nationally, Cathleen Cleaver Ruse, spokeswoman for the Pro-life Secretariat of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a press release in early December that had a more cautionary tone. Women, she wrote, still die from abortion, and while statistics are useful, they don’t tell the whole tale. The most important questions of why women choose abortion and who actually makes those decisions are not answered by statistics.

"We still need to hear messages of reconciliation and healing from the pulpit," Laird said. P know where the Church stands, but don’t understand forgiveness. Many women have walked out of church because they feel condemned. We also need to address men. Men suffer differently, but they suffer. "

For more information on Project Rachel or Project Gabriel, call 866/444-3553 or 888/456-HOPE.