In memory of the unborn
Local
Brighton parish has heeded the call of Pope Francis to “develop the attitude of the Good Samaritan” by establishing a memorial dedicated to the memories of unborn children and celebrating a special Mass for families who have lost children on All Souls Day next month.
Parish priest Monsignor Ian Dempsey recently blessed a statue of an angel in the St Joseph’s Church memorial garden and wrote in the parish newsletter about Pope Francis’ decision to grant priests permission to absolve the sin of abortion in the Year of Mercy.
Normally only bishops are allowed to absolve this sin but in the Archdiocese of Adelaide, priests have been able to since 2007.
Mgr Dempsey said a few years ago at a national Clergy Care meeting, there had been a presentation on the Church’s care of women who had lost an unborn child through miscarriage, abortion or stillborn, and how this affected them and their partners.
“We were asked how might we reach out to those around us who have lost a child before birth and may be grieving alone. How might we help them find healing and hope? Women and men suffer the loss in different ways,” he said.
With the parish team, Mgr Dempsey is planning a special Mass to be celebrated on All Souls Day for families who have lost children – born and unborn.
He said it would be a time to pray, remember, grieve and find hope.
“We are called to develop the attitude of the Good Samaritan, an attitude of mercy, of a love which does not condemn, but brings consolation and hope,” Mgr Dempsey said.
“Pope Francis has stated that he has met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonising and painful decision.”
The Mass for the Unborn Child will be in St Joseph’s Church, Strathmore Tce, Brighton, at 7pm on Thursday 2 November. Enquiries: 82967292.
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