Meet Rebecca Kiessling:
Perhaps you’ve heard of her: Rebecca is a family life attorney, a lanky blonde fireball who has built a career out of telling her life story.
You see, Rebecca’s mom was raped. It was 1970, just three years before Roe v. Wade became the law of the land—and here in Michigan, where the brutal crime occurred, abortion was illegal. Rebecca’s mom thought hard about obtaining a “back alley” abortion; but the callous attitude of the abortionist frightened her off, and she gave birth to a baby girl whom she placed for adoption.
Perhaps you consider yourself pro-life, “except in cases of rape or incest.”
Or perhaps you are pro-choice (at least you support choice for the mother, if not for the child), but noting the gravity of the consequences for a rape victim who is impregnated by her attacker, you support abortion “especially in cases of rape.”
Rebecca stands as a reminder that ALL children, regardless of the circumstances of their conception, have an intrinsic and inestimable worth. All are created in the image of God.
When Rebecca first learned the truth about her father, a serial rapist, she wrestled with feelings of inadequacy, guilt and shame. Even now, from her platform as a successful professional and a loving wife and mother, Rebecca’s vulnerability is evident. She herself explains it best...
That explanation can be read in its entirety over at Kathy Schiffer's place.
I used to think that I was a fullly-fledged member of the pro-life community though I too bought into the abortion exceptions for rape and incest.
And though I went back and forth on it, I considered myself a pro-lifer despite the fact I could be easily convinced that the death penalty was sound and just.
As an informed Catholic, I can no longer think this way (and still call myself faithful).
Catholicism has exposed me to the notion that the dignity of all persons is more than just some noble phrase.
Ms. Kiessling is a walking, talking example of the richness of the Catholic precept.
It might be time for more people to look at this teaching and, as Frank Weathers has quite entertainingly pointed out (and who is responsible for bringing this story to us), it might especially be time for the Romney/Ryan ticket to look at this teaching.
Is it time for you to do the same?
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