In our beloved South Africa, the silent tragedy of abortion continues year after year, leaving untold harm in its wake. Since the legalisation of abortion in 1997 under the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, a massive number of pre-born children have been eliminated. It is estimated that more than 2 million babies have been legally aborted in South Africa since that law came into effect — a number that, according to some political and pro-life sources, surpasses the total deaths from crime and road fatalities over the same period.1
A Nation of Lost Potential
Official health data shows that over 1.4 million abortions have been recorded in public health facilities alone between 2014 and 2024.2
These figures do not include the number of terminations that take place in the private sector or those in the “back-street.”
Each year, tens of thousands of children never take their first breath. Attitudes among South Africans vary profoundly. It would appear that generally speaking, a majority oppose liberal abortion access. Nevertheless, outlandish figures are always trotted out to indicate support for “reproductive autonomy,” an international euphemism for abortion.
At the same time, data suggests that only a small percentage of registered health facilities actually perform abortion procedures.3 In fact, the resistance on the part of many institutions and doctors since the liberalisation of the laws, has been very encouraging. Abortion always stops a beating heart and is a sin that cries out to God for vengeance!
The Human Faces Behind the Numbers
Statistics can numb us, but each number represents a real, hard fact of life:
- Pre-born children intentionally destroyed.
- Grief and depression affecting countless souls.
- Far-reaching societal consequences, especially for the family institution.
Although official South African mortality statistics don’t count legal abortions as a cause of death, the sheer number reflects profound moral questions facing our nation. Compared with other tragic causes of death – such as murders or road accidents – the loss of unborn lives over decades is a catastrophe, whose ultimate consequence are yet to be seen!4
The Catholic Teaching on Life and Dignity
The Catholic Church teaches that every human life is sacred, from conception to natural death. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls abortion “a grave moral evil” and urges us to defend the most vulnerable and dependent among us. Every aborted child, no matter the stage of development, is created in the image and likeness of God. We are called to zealously defend the prerogatives of God Almighty while being compassionate with all those caught up in the fear, coercion, loathing and horror of this abominable practice.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn, stands as a powerful intercessor for life. In her beautiful image, indelibly printed on St Juan Diego’s tilma, she reveals the dignity of every human being, especially the most vulnerable in the womb.
Sending Roses to Our Lady of Guadalupe
On the South Africa Needs Our Lady website, we invite you to join a special and deeply spiritual act of intercession this February:
🌹🌹🌹 Send a rose to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico 🌹🌹🌹
Each rose represents an earnest prayer for:
- An end to abortion in South Africa
- Healing for women, families and others wounded by abortion
- Your personal intentions and petitions
Our Lady of Guadalupe is beloved as the Patroness of the Unborn, and we entrust to her maternal care all those affected by abortion. When we send roses with love and reverence, we join a prayerful petition for mercy, conversion, and protection of life.
Your name and intentions will be placed at the foot of the shrine in Guadalupe alongside the bouquet of roses. This is a beautiful and visible expression of faith and hope, uniting South African hearts with the Blessed Virgin’s maternal intercession.
Joining Hearts and Hands for Life
We also encourage you to support and pray for all the pro-life organisations active in South Africa – groups of men and women who tirelessly serve mothers in need, those who protest outside abortion facilities, student groups, those educating in schools and communities, and everyone standing up for the dignity of the unborn.
May Our Lady of Guadalupe inspire renewed enthusiasm for the culture of life in every corner of our nation. May her gentle eyes look lovingly upon every mother in doubt and fear, and may her loving presence bring calm, courage and confidence!
A Prayer for Life
O Mary, Mother of the Unborn,
You who protected life in the womb of your Most Holy Son,
Look with mercy on the children lost to abortion.
Turn our hearts toward life,
That every womb may be a place of love,
Every future may be nurtured,
And every soul may be welcomed in joy.
Intercede for us, O Mother of Guadalupe,
That abortion may cease in our land
And that we may cherish all life,
At every stage and in every circumstance. Amen.
FOOTNOTES:
- https://gatewaynews.co.za/as-legal-abortion-death-toll-passes-2-million-acdp-vows-to-fight-for-pre-born-babies/
- https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/abortions-pregnancy-termination-healthcare-motsoaledi/
- https://www.news24.com/citypress/voices/voices-a-look-at-new-abortion-guidelines-20210928
- https://gatewaynews.co.za/as-legal-abortion-death-toll-passes-2-million-acdp-vows-to-fight-for-pre-born-babies/