Rape victim who chose life for unborn child will speak at pro-life rally on Jan. 23

By Mary Ann Garber

Liz Carl’s story is painful yet uplifting.

She is a courageous rape survivor who conceived a child during that tragic act of violence then chose life for her unborn baby and placed her newborn son for adoption.

The University of Louisville graduate and Louisville, Ky., resident is the keynote speaker for the archdiocese’s second annual Local Solemn Observance of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States during all nine months of pregnancy.

The Local Solemn Observance of the 39th anniversary of legalized abortion is “a prayerful demonstration of our faith in the Lord of Life,” explained Servants of the Gospel of Life Sister Diane Carollo, director of the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry.

The observance begins with Mass at noon on Jan. 23 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

Msgr. Joseph Schaedel, pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis, who also serves as vicar for religious and director of the archdiocesan Mission Office, will be the principal celebrant.

After the liturgy, pro-life supporters will participate in a peaceful and prayerful Respect Life March south on North Meridian Street to 11th Street then cross the street and walk north to 16th Street before returning to the cathedral for the inspirational rally.

Marchers will carry banners with beautiful photographs of young babies, and pray the rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy for an end to abortion.

During the rally, Carl will share her inspirational story of hope and healing about giving birth to her son. She speaks at pro-life events in cities and on college campuses throughout the nation as well as in other countries.

In 2010, she addressed the United Nations “Conference on the Status of Women.”

As the keynote speaker at the 2011 March for Life in Brussels, Belgium, Carl discussed the need to respect and protect the dignity and sanctity of human life before an audience estimated at 4,000 people.

“It made me feel ashamed,” Carl said about her rape. “It made me feel disgusted. But I think the worst thing for a rape victim is abortion. Every woman is strong enough to love her baby. … It’s a travesty that a child must die.”

Sister Diane said she decided to invite Carl to speak at the Local Solemn Observance because “all life is worth living and no one should be exempt from that right to life, including those children who are unfortunately conceived in such a terrible manner.

“Many politicians will say that they oppose abortion except in the cases of rape and incest,” Sister Diane said. “That’s always troubled me because those innocent lives are just as worthy. … Even lives conceived in rape or incest should be afforded the full protection of the law.”

As a Church and a nation, she said, “we have to be unconditionally pro-life.”

Abortion doesn’t erase the horror of rape from a woman’s mind, Sister Diane said. It only intensifies her agony and suffering as she also grieves the death of her baby.

“We must change the laws,” she said. “We must have a culture that promotes and respects human life, and supports it by law.”

Father Glenn O’Connor, pastor of St. Ann and St. Joseph parishes in Indianapolis, and Pauline Kattady, a social worker and member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis, will also speak during the pro-life rally.

They will discuss their ministries as post-abortion reconciliation facilitators for the archdiocesan Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats and other Project Rachel programs.

“There are a tremendous number of women and men that have experienced abortion and are part of our Church,” Sister Diane said. “For them, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade is very painful.

“Very often, those who have experienced abortion will say that they feel judged by those around them,” she said. “That has to change. I want them to know that the Church and the pro-life community embrace them and want to help them. We must be unconditionally supportive and loving to those who have had that terrible experience.

“They are our brothers and sisters, and have made tragic choices and suffered as a result,” Sister Diane said. “It’s only through Christ’s love, God’s graces and the sacraments that post-abortive individuals will experience peace, happiness and holiness.”

The next archdiocesan Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat is March 23-25 at a confidential location, she said, and the registration deadline is March 7.

“Women and men that are struggling with the aftermath of abortion should not be afraid to begin the healing process,” Sister Diane said. “The first step takes a lot of courage, but they have nothing to lose and everything to gain from this healing retreat. Jesus is the Divine Healer, and through the retreats he reaches out to those who are in pain.”

(For more information about the archdiocese’s Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat on March 23-25, call Sister Diane Carollo at 317-236-1521 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1521, or post-abortion reconciliation facilitator Bernadette Roy at 317-452-0054. All calls are confidential.) †