February 16: A Life Transformed

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is February 16th, and our story is A Life Transformed. February 16, 1969, was one of many days Dr. Bernard Nathanson would live to regret. A few days earlier, the obstetrician had traveled to Chicago, where he joined feminist Betty Friedan and journalist Lawrence Lader at the first national conference on abortion laws.

That weekend, Nathanson spoke about the medical consequences of illegal abortions, exaggerating, as he later confessed, the number of maternal deaths resulting from back-alley procedures. Then, at the close of the conference, on February 16th, he helped found an organization that would put the conference's agenda into action, the National Association to Repeal Abortion Laws, NARAL. Within a year, NARAL had its first major victory in New York State, enabling Nathanson to establish the Center for Reproductive and Sexual Health, CRASH, in New York City.

There, he oversaw more than 60,000 abortions and performed 5,000 himself. Two years later, Nathanson's group repeated more of the false statistics he'd presented at the Chicago conference, this time in testimony before the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices bought the lies, and with their 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, legalized abortion nationwide. In the wake of that victory, Nathanson's group changed its name to the National Abortion Rights Action League. Around the same time, Nathanson began distancing himself from the organization he helped found.

Rapidly advancing ultrasound technology had convinced him that abortion destroyed a human life, not a clump of cells. By decade's end, one of the pro-choice movement's greatest champions had become outspokenly pro-life. For the next 30 years, Nathanson devoted himself to undoing the damage he had caused. He also found forgiveness and healing in the Catholic Church, where he was baptized and confirmed in 1996. Of his baptism, he said, I was in a real whirlpool of emotion, and then there was this healing, cooling water on me, and soft voices, and an inexpressible sense of peace.

I had found a safe place. Nathanson died on February 21, 2011. His mass of Christian burial took place in New York City St. Patrick's Cathedral. Dr. Nathanson's story challenges us to consider the power of conscience, truth, and conversion. God's grace is patient, persistent, and restorative, inviting us to reconcile, repair, and embrace truth.

Like Nathanson, we are never beyond hope or redemption. Our past mistakes do not define our future impact. Instead, our willingness to acknowledge error and pursue goodness can inspire others and transform lives. Reflect on a past mistake or choice that weighs on you.

Consider one concrete step today to reconcile, repair, or make amends in that area of your life. Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Join us tomorrow, February 17th, for another story of faith and courage in America.