Providing Help for Fathers Grieving From Abortion Involvement

International   |   Brad Mattes   |   Oct 7, 2011   |   6:48PM   |   Washington, DC

I’m packing my bags and pro-life materials in preparation for an exciting opportunity to once again take the pro-life message to an international level.

Tomorrow I’ll be traveling to Santiago, Chile to address regional pro-life leaders about a little discussed topic when one thinks of the pro-life movement. Specifically, how to counsel and minister to fathers suffering from a loss of a baby to abortion. For many years I’ve been reaching out to and counseling post-abortive men, it’s been an issue very near and dear to my heart. It doesn’t come from personal experience, but from something God has placed upon my heart. That’s why I and others founded the Men and Abortion Network (MAN) to create more awareness to the plight of these grieving fathers, and to provide resources and counseling to help them.

Many people are well aware of the mental pain and anguish suffered by mothers who abort their babies—and that’s important. But sadly, the fathers involved in the same decision are often left out in the cold to deal with their pain all alone. That’s precisely what I’ll be tackling during my time in Chile with fellow pro-life leaders.

In addition to equipping pro-life counselors through a series of workshop talks, there will be some unique chances to raise awareness of this issue before some key influencers in the pro-life community. I’ll be participating in an International Congress where I’ll give a lecture on men and abortion.

Following the Congress, I’ll head over to a specially-invited gathering of evangelical leaders at the La Moneda in Santiago. To put this into perspective, La Moneda is Chile’s equivalent of our White House here in the US.

This trip will be a golden opportunity to equip more pro-life ambassadors with vital tools to reach out to hurting fathers in respective areas. I’d definitely appreciate your prayers for me to speak with effective clarity and boldness during my time in South America.

Learn more about how abortion affects the fathers of aborted babies and the work of MAN by clicking here. And take advantage of the considerable resources complied on this site. Also, regardless of where they live, hurting fathers can request a free counselor to help them through the healing process.

LifeNews.com Note: Bradley Mattes is the executive director of Life Issues Institute, a national pro-life educational group. Mattes is a veteran of the pro-life cause, with over three decades of educational, political and humanitarian experience.