About one in four women ages 16-45 in the United States have experienced abortion because of an unplanned pregnancy, said Angela Franey, executive director of Abria Pregnancy Resources. And about 62% of all women considering abortion and moving forward with it have a religious affiliation, Franey said. “Most of them feel like they don’t have a choice and that’s all they can do is that abortion, rather than finding out options,” she said.
Franey recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley to discuss services offered at Abria and how the faithful can support women facing crisis pregnancies and build a culture of life. Abria has one location in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul, the latter situated near a Planned Parenthood facility.
Angela Franey
“We’re within sight,” Franey said of the proximity to Planned Parenthood. “We chose this location because of its strategic spot, knowing that we wanted to give that opportunity for women to know they have options, to know that they can choose life, that we’re available.”
Abria staff discuss options for women “and know that God will speak to them in their heart and stir them to make the very best choice,” Franey said. “We want to minister not only to the unborn child but … to the woman, the mother,” she said. “We know that if we help her, then she’s going to make a choice for life.”
One way staff members do that is by not pushing, Franey said, but by asking questions, including “do you feel supported at this time? Is there anyone in your life who would encourage you with this unexpected pregnancy? Is there anyone who you could reach out to?”
“We ask the woman questions and know that she can come up with those answers that God has put within her,” Franey said.
People can support Abria in various ways, Franey said, first, by praying. No ministry happens without prayer, she said. Bring Abria and the women with whom staff members meet to God in prayer, she said, “so that they’ll hear and they’ll understand and they’ll choose life.”
The faithful can also provide time, talent and treasure, Franey said, adding that people can become an ambassador to those who are within their sphere of influence, telling them about Abria, how they can support life and get involved.
To learn more about supporting Abria, visit supporters.abria.org. To hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. June 3 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. June 4 and 2 p.m. June 5.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Father Tom Margevicius, director of worship for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who provides an introduction to the liturgy and how to participate; and Father Spencer Howe, pastor, and Sam Backman, director of sacred music, at Holy Cross in northeast Minneapolis, who discuss an upcoming eucharistic procession that’s taken place for 17 years.
Listen to their interviews after they have aired:
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