​Many women, especially over the past few decades, have been wounded by abortion. In order to heal emotionally and spiritually from this poor decision to extinguish the life of her unborn child through abortion, a woman must be willing to come to terms with what abortion really is, why it is so wrong, and what she must do in the aftermath to mend her relationship with God. First, consider the fact that abortion (no matter what empty euphemisms are used by the modern media to soften the reality of what really happens) is nothing less than the intentional killing of an unborn child. Sadly, it is a form of legalized murder. Therefore, one cannot be simultaneously Catholic and in favor of abortion. The two are incompatible.  
 
The Catholic Church teaches that murder is always wrong. God Himself declared: “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). The Catechism explains: “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life” (CCC 2270). 

​The Catholic Church’s belief in the existence of purgatory is indeed scriptural! First of all, it is important to understand what the Church believes purgatory is. The Catechism describes purgatory like this: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC 1030).  
 
Note that the Church believes that purgatory is not an eternal state, but rather a state of purification before entering eternal life with God in heaven.  
 
Scripture teaches us that nothing unclean can enter heaven (Revelation 21:27). Scripture also describes a place where a man goes and suffers loss, yet is still saved, but only through fire (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). Purgatory is this place that cleanses us of whatever impurity we have when we die, allowing us to enter into God’s presence without the stain of sin.