Bernard Nathanson, RIP

Dr. Bernard Nathanson, simultaneously one of the most murderous men in American history and one of the greatest witnesses to the saving power of Jesus, died today at the age of 84. May he rest in peace. I had the pleasure of meeting him once, some 30 years ago, but had time enough only to thank him for writing Aborting America (1979). Hardly had I spoken, though, when I realized that it was a cross for him to accept compliments on a book that could only have been written by one who had been a monster. I’ve never forgotten it.

I’ve seen some ridiculous questions out there about what happens to Nathanson’s soul now. We don’t know, of course, but we do know this: Nathanson’s baptism at the hands of Cdl. John O’Connor in 1996 completely forgave him all his sins up to that point (all of his 75,000 supervised or directly-performed abortions, including one of his own children, his multiple divorces, and God knows what else) and totally paid all of the punishments due for such sins. CCC 1263. Everything, everything, Nathanson did up to the day of his baptism is buried forever in Christ.

When we pray for Dr. Nathanson's soul, and we all should pray for him, it should be with attention to the life he lived after his baptism, not before. There’s nothing from "before" that day to pray for anymore.

Above post now in French at Americatho.