RC group in anti-abortion vigil

“WE ARE here to serve, and what we want is for the Government to listen to us and make a statement to not legalise abortion.’” So said Violet D’Ornellas, moderator of the Emmanuel Community. The organisation is currently holding a three-day vigil of praying and fasting for the nation at Woodford Square in Port-of-Spain.

This follows the recent visit of representatives of Human Life International (HTL) and a pro-life march, both of which the Community facilitated. “Basically we are here to pray and fast. When a nation goes against the laws of God and human nature, we know the end results — violence. Given, there are circumstances which can frighten a mother, but for her to kill her baby as a way to get out of her ‘problem’, we propose to do what we already offer at the Centre since 1986.” The Centre operates a home for children and a pregnancy crisis centre, offering assistance where needed. “What we are saying [to pregnant people] is come. If you have a problem, you’re afraid or you don’t have a home, you need money for clothes, whatever, we would help you. Most young mothers need this support.”

D’Ornellas acknowledged that a lot of people are not aware of the service the Community offers, but maintained that more babies will be saved if people realise there are alternatives to abortion. “This is what Government should be doing, providing care, attention, support and alternatives. Another thing which we are against is foreign bodies funding groups in Trinidad and Tobago who are pushing for the legalisation of abortion for their own ends. We find that our children in Trinidad and Tobago are our children, and they are precious.” She recounted HTL’s visit where they revealed what happened in the US over the last 30 years with abortion. “Can you imagine that 43 million babies have been killed? This is what we are opening our doors to. In Barbados, the minute they legalised abortion, I know personally of one schoolgirl that had six abortions! What are we doing? Don’t we have any responsibility for life which God has given us on earth? This is not a religious thing, but human life is holy,” she said.

“Abortions harm women. Physically, she may never have another child. Did you know that having an abortion increases the risk of breast cancer by 50 percent? Mentally, she will never forget that child. “Psychologically the effects of post-abortion trauma, a very real, depressing condition. The woman cannot forgive herself, neither can she believe that God can do the same. That guilt and shame is there and she may become abusive to the children she may have, and so it carries on. They are damaged physically, emotionally and spiritually.”