The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode Summary: Day 295 — The Wound of Abortion (2025)

Episode Overview

On "Day 295: The Wound of Abortion," Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s teaching on abortion, reading and reflecting on paragraphs 2270–2275. The episode addresses the Church’s unwavering stance on the sanctity of all human life from conception, confronts the wounds and challenges surrounding abortion in culture and individuals’ lives, and highlights the profound opportunity for God’s mercy, healing, and reconciliation for those affected.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catechism Readings and Church Teaching on Abortion

(07:30–13:30)

• Fr. Mike reads CCC 2270–2275, emphasizing that human life must be "respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception."
• Scriptural affirmations:
  • Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.”
  • Psalm 139: “My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret...”
• Direct abortion is defined as gravely contrary to moral law. The teaching is “unchangeable”; it prohibits both abortion as an end or as a means.
• Formal cooperation in abortion is grave, resulting in automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication under specific conditions.
• The Church distinguishes between prenatal diagnosis intended for the child’s well-being and diagnosis used as a justification for abortion (the latter being gravely immoral).
• The embryo must be “defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed as far as possible, like any other human being.”
• Genetic manipulation aimed at selecting particular traits is condemned as an affront to personal dignity.

2. Empathy, Culture, and the Reality of Abortion

(13:35–17:45)

• Fr. Mike acknowledges the complexity of factors leading to abortion: “We’ve talked about the degree to which there can be factors that weigh on a person—distress, fear, panic—that can mitigate a person’s culpability.” (14:38)
• The necessity for empathy:
  • “If we can’t empathize with someone who...believes abortion is their only option...then there’s something broken inside of each and every one of us.” (15:10)
  • Recognizes the pressure and fear that may guide decisions, “We can empathize with someone who’s just afraid.” (16:04)
• Points to societal wounds:
  • “Abortion has two victims: the one who is dead and the one who is wounded, the child itself and the mom.” (17:11)
  • Society as a whole is “wounded” by the reality of abortion.

3. Excommunication: Not as a Limit to Mercy, but Emphasis on Gravity

(17:46–19:44)

• The Church’s imposition of excommunication for abortion does not limit God’s mercy but emphasizes “the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.” (18:54)
• “The reality of the evil of abortion has destroyed millions of lives...it’s transformed our culture. We’ve become a culture of death.” (19:15)

4. God’s Mercy and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

(19:45–24:05)

• Strong call for those wounded by abortion to not withhold this from confession:
  • “If this is part of your story, please go to confession.” (20:30)
  • Shares correspondence from listeners who found incredible freedom and welcome after confessing abortion:
    • “My life is so transformed...the most incredible freedom, the most incredible peace, the most incredible reconciliation, the most incredible love.” (20:50)
• Defines mercy as “the love that we need the most, but we deserve the least.” (21:40)
• Directly addresses listeners afraid to return:
  • “Don’t let the wound get in the way of the healing. Don’t let the sin get in the way of God’s love for you. God loves you so much.” (21:58)
  • “You don’t have to stay wounded.” (22:39)

5. A Community of Prayer & Compassion

(24:06–end)

• Fr. Mike urges listeners who haven’t experienced this themselves to “pray for every person in this community who hears these words right now and is just...hesitant and fearful...Is it true that I could come back home?”
• Closes with:
  • “Please pray for each other. I am praying for you. Please pray for me.” (24:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Opening Perspective:
  • “We recognize that abortion has marked our culture. Abortion has marked the lives of many, many people in our Church even.” (02:09)
• On God’s Mercy:
  • “God desires that all of us turn to him and be saved and turn to him and receive his mercy, turn to him and allow him to love us.” (03:14)
• Empathy and Responsibility:
  • “If we can’t empathize with someone who...believes abortion is their only option...then there’s something broken inside each and every one of us.” (15:10)
• On Excommunication:
  • “The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed...” (18:54 — quoting CCC)
  • “We recognize that this has, I guess you could say, the scourge of abortion. The reality of the evil of abortion has destroyed millions of lives.” (19:10)
• Invitation to Healing:
  • “If this is you right now...Please know you are not alone...If this is you and you’re hearing this and you’re just—I hate this day. I dreaded this day—please know, you are not alone.” (20:29)
  • “Do not let the wound get in the way of the healing. Don’t let the sin get in the way of God’s love for you. God loves you so much.” (21:58)
• Mercy Defined:
  • “Mercy is the love that we need the most, but we deserve the least.” (21:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Summary of Today’s Focus: 00:05–02:30
• Prayer for Listeners and Those Wounded by Abortion: 03:00–06:10
• Catechism Readings (Paras 2270–2275) and Commentary: 07:30–13:30
• Empathy, Culture, and Human Woundedness: 13:35–17:45
• Excommunication and Its Purpose: 17:46–19:44
• Invitation to Confession and Sharing Stories of Healing: 19:45–22:50
• Community Support, Prayers, and Closing: 22:51–end

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike maintains a tone that is simultaneously authoritative, pastoral, and compassionate throughout the episode. He candidly addresses the gravity of abortion as taught by the Catechism, without shirking the pain and woundedness it causes, and continually returns to the hope and real possibility of reconciliation and healing through God’s mercy.

Summary

This episode is a powerful and heart-rending exploration of the Church’s doctrinal clarity on abortion, the depth of pain and societal impact involved, and, most importantly, the perennial possibility of redemption and restoration in Christ. Fr. Mike’s voice is one of truth and tenderness: upholding the dignity of the unborn, empathizing with those in crisis, and beckoning the listener toward divine mercy and healing, echoing the Catechism’s teaching that the right to life is foundational and that God’s love and forgiveness await any who seek it.