By Josh Low and Jamie O’Brien
A new post-abortion grief counselling service has commenced in the Archdiocese of Perth, with the initiative coming directly from Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB.
The idea for the service was initiated by Archbishop Costelloe after a gap in the services being provided by the Archdiocese in the area, together with a growing need for the service, was identified.
Archdiocesan Research and Project Development Manager Mr Tony Giglia said the aim of the new service will be to provide support and healing without judgement to those who have experienced an abortion, including men.
Mr Giglia went on to explain that the new service will be provided by the Fullness of Life Centre, Pregnancy Assistance, Centrecare Inc and Abortion Grief Australia, who have all signed a memorandum of understanding with the Archdiocese.
“The services provided will be free of charge and those seeking the counselling service can be assured they are getting confidential quality support,” said Mr Giglia.
“It is about following in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, so that we can further provide a Christ-centred Church that understands the experiences of the people and where they are at in their life today,” he said.
Speaking about the new service Pregnancy Assistance Chairman Eric Jas emphasised that it is a major part of our mission as human beings to follow the example of Jesus in reaching out to those who are hurt and struggling.
“Every time a mother loses her baby, whether intentional or not, she experiences hurt, loss and pain and we are here to help them work through it. That has always been the focus of Pregnancy Assistance,” Mr Jas said.
Centrecare Inc Director Tony Pietropicolo AM said the organisation is more than happy to assist and support people who are experiencing post-abortion grief.
“There is a sense of loss a person experiences following an abortion, often unexpectedly, and this may often also be experienced by the people around them.
Hence it is constructive, from a number of perspectives ie emotional, social and spiritually for a person (who is experiencing post-abortion grief) to share their feelings and ideas around what has happened,” Mr Pietropiccolo said.
Fullness of Life Centre Co-Director Celia Joyce MPS, said that even though people who have experienced an abortion often don’t like to talk about it, opening up about their emotions and experience is so important for healing to take place.
Abortion Grief Australia’s National Director, Julie Cook, believes one of the big problems is the media and the lack of reporting on the issue of both abortion and the trauma associated with it.
For more information on how to access the new post abortion grief counselling services, go to www.perthcatholic.org.au and go to Organisations and Services, then Healthcare, then go to Post Abortion Grief Counselling Services.
From pages 6 Issue 9: ‘What is a Vocation?’ of The Record Magazine