CINCINNATI — After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, several organizations that help pregnant women or post-abortive women saw an even bigger need. One of those is Project Rachel, an organization within the Catholic church. Despite the Supreme Court Ruling, they explain why their work is not done yet.
What You Need To Know
- Project Rachel helps women after an abortion
- The program is through the Catholic church but is open to anyone of any faith
- The goal is to allow women to open up about their abortion stories and not feel judged by the church
- The program has many resources and hosts retreats several times a year
Project Rachel started in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1996, thanks to Mary Anne Boyd.
“You’re here because of God’s unconditional love,” Boyd said. “And we’re so happy that you called, and we invite you to be part of this healing journey.”
The program focuses on helping women and men, regardless of their faith, forgive themselves and feel accepted back in the church again after an abortion, with no judgment.
“It’s like the first time that they’re able to say it,” Boyd said. “And you just need to be a listener. I wasn’t there to condemn or to judge.”
While Boyd won’t take credit for all the women that have found healing thanks to Project Rachel, she points to the entire team that’s been a part of it, including Father Norman Langenbrunner. He’s been helping with Project Rachel for as long as he can remember.
“If the priest is there saying God forgives, God doesn’t hold a grudge, then it carries more weight if that mother’s sister or best friend says the same thing,” Langenbrunner said.
Father Langenbrunner emphasizes that God is ready to forgive.
“Project Rachel is a way of saying, we’re not saying that what you made in that choice was a good thing, but what you are now experiencing is the assurance that God doesn’t hold a grudge,” he said. “He’s asking you to move on from that. Accept his forgiveness.”
Now, the program is in the hands of Becky Schoenfeld. She helps get women the resources they need.
“All of this is confidential, so when she fills this out, it comes straight to me,” Schoenfeld said. “From there, we can contact her depending on what she needs.”
They lead retreats where every woman shares their story.
“This could be the first time that they’ve ever talked about this,” Schoenfeld said. “The sharing it in front of a bunch of strangers can sometimes be intimidating. But it sort of just allows them to take it at their own pace.”
And now, more than ever, more women are coming to Project Rachel. Just since Roe v. Wade has been overturned, the phones have been ringing off the hook.
“It’s so important right now because of the overturn of Roe v. Wade,” Schoenfeld said. “This is going to trigger so many women and bring back so many memories, and they need to know that they are not alone and that it’s okay for them to be feeling this way.”
Now, 28 years after the organization came to the Queen City, the hope for the organizers is that they can continue to help women that have had to make this difficult decision.
“I just hope that it keeps on going and reaches out to women who are hurting,” Boyd said. “That they have a place that they feel welcome, that they’re not judged, that nobody’s going to condemn them. And if I don’t do one other thing, as I said before, I hope I don’t lose my memory because this has been such an important ministry to me, my own spiritual journey and I feel like it’s a gift.”
Click here for more information about Project Rachel and how to get resources on the program. If you are in the Cincinnati or Dayton area, you can also call the helpline at 513-784-0531.
Project Rachel is also in the diocese of Steubenville, Toledo, and Youngstown.
