As I began to read Abby Johnson’s new book, “The Walls are Talking,” I
couldn’t help but recall the words and the urgency I have heard in the voice of Ugandan Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe:
“I urge you to not sugarcoat evil.”
Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, who runs a school for victims of the
notorious Lord's Resistance Army, has seen with her own eyes the devastating
consequences of violence, and she knows first-hand how important it is to face
up to evil—to name it.
In a very real way, Abby Johnson’s new book is doing exactly that—courageously naming the tragic truth about
the evil of abortion. And she does it by gathering a powerful collection of
true stories from the lives of former abortion clinic workers.
“Those of us that
have worked in the abortion industry all live with a constant burden. We can’t let our burden slide off of our
shoulders; it is what keeps us on fire. It reminds us of why we fight so
hard. We have seen death and evil in a way that most haven’t—and we
participated. But we are forgiven.
He who has been forgiven much, loves much. And we love a lot…
When I was confirmed
as a Catholic, I chose Mary Magdalene as my confirmation saint. I felt an immediate
connection to her. She had sinned so
much—and was forgiven in even greater amounts. She knew she didn’t deserve
forgiveness—but she received it anyway. And because of this, she clung to
Christ. She knew she was nothing without him.
Because they are personal accounts, the stories of “The Walls Are Talking”
are, in a sense, a simple read. But they are not an easy read.
These stories will make you uncomfortable. And they should, because they don’t sugarcoat evil.
Ultimately, however, this collection of personal experiences is a proclamation of mercy. They are
stories of hope -- because the truth is also that none of us deserve to be
loved by God as fully and completely as we are. And all of us yearn for His forgiveness and Love.
One of the last things that Sister Rosemary pointed out in her keynote
address at the Catholic Media Conference in Buffalo is that, “Africa
is being saved by African women” – women who were taken against their
will as young girls and forced to commit atrocities against one another. And
yet also women who know first hand that life can be changed, dignity can be
restored, and forgiveness will always
follow mercy.
I admire and pray for Abby Johnson and her ministry as she, too, hopes
for the day when – paraphrasing Sister Rosemary’s words – the abortion industry
will be saved by former “and repentant
abortion providers.”
“Pray for those who
have contributed to this book. Pray for their continued healing. And most of
all, pray for those who have not converted yet. We are waiting for them with our warms wide open.”
~Abby Johnson
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