The Cardinal and the Crook

He had just finished the morning mass and was having a light breakfast in the rectory’s kitchen when the phone rang.

“Hello, may I help you?”

“Hello, Father Donnelly?”

“Yes, this is Father Donnelly. How can I help you?”

“Father, this is Mi chelle Connors from Birthright.”

Michelle was the director of the local Birthright Center. Birthright was started in Canada during the late 1960s. Several centers had been founded throughout the United States since then. The philosophy of Birthright was that any pregnant girl or woman had the right to whatever help she may need to carry her child to full-term.

“Hello, Michelle. How are you doing? And please, call me Father John.”

The young priest had met her a few weeks before and shared his personal story about being raised by a parish priest and recently reuniting with his biological mother.

“Well, Father John, you told me that you valued the work we do and offered to assist us whenever we might need you. I’m calling to take you up on your offer.”

“Of course! What can I do for you?”

“There is a young woman—Isabella. She is only eighteen years old, and she is struggling with an unplanned pregnancy. She is distraught, scared, and confused. Her parents have disowned her, telling her that she is nothing but a whore and that she has disgraced their family. She has considered getting an abortion and even contemplated suicide. After much encouragement, a friend convinced her to speak to someone at Birthright. I happened to be the person on call that evening. She shared her whole story with me. She was in love with her childhood sweetheart—Gabriel. They planned on marrying as soon as he returned from serving in the army. They were overcome with emotion and were careless the night before he shipped off. He was killed in a training exercise less than a month later. Isabella was devastated by losing the love of her life. A few weeks after the funeral, she realized she was pregnant.”

John closed his eyes and exhaled slowly before saying, “That sounds awfully familiar.”

“I thought you’d understand. My intuition tells me that she is open to adoption. I really think she would benefit from meeting with you . . . given your personal experience.”

“Yes . . . yes! Tell me where and when. I’ll help in any way I can.”