by Michael O’Neill

Twice during my almost fifty years in the United States, once as a priest, once as an assistant public defender, I had to deal on a professional level with the issue of abortion. The first time, probably in 1975, I happened to answer a phone call from a pregnant and distraught young woman contemplating abortion. I ended up going out to where she lived and listening to her story for a couple of hours. I did the best I could to respond to her moods and conversation. Apparently at the time, she was living alone in a middle class neighbourhood, but she never mentioned any family or family support in her situation.

Michael L. O’Neill is a retired assistant public defender.