During the Pro-Life International Symposium at the World Meeting of Families last week, Hispanics for Life President Astrid Bennett Gutierrez said abortion advertising in the Latino community is so prevalent that it even includes coupons.

There is no doubt that, like the African-American community, Hispanics -- especially those in under-privileged neighborhoods-- are targeted by the unscrupulous, profit-driven abortion industry.

Healing the Hispanic Community is the focus this month of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign’s Healing the Shockwaves of Abortion initiative.

Healing the Shockwaves of Abortion is a year-long international educational and pastoral effort to raise awareness about and minister to a wide variety of groups of people who are impacted when a child dies from abortion. These groups include mothers, father, grandparents, siblings, survivors, friends, pro-life advocates and those who perform or advocate abortion.

“Through this initiative, we are trying to reach the various and diverse groups of people who have been wounded by abortion, to offer prayers, healing and solidarity,” said Father Frank Pavone, Pastoral Director of Silent No More and National Director of Priests for Life.

“Family is so important to Hispanics, and we saw that first-hand at the World Meeting, where so many Latino families traveled to be part of the celebration of the ties that bind us,” said Kevin Burke, Co-founder of Rachel’s Vineyard and an architect of Shockwaves. “But many families have been devastated by abortion and may not know how to find solace for that injury.”

Georgette Forney, President of Anglicans for Life and co-founder of Silent No More, said “As a second generation Nicaraguan, I am very aware of how sacred the family is and how personally devastated my mother was when she learned of the loss of her grandchild through abortion. I wish we had Shockwaves to help her find healing before she died. The Shockwaves initiative is critical for families of every ethnicity.”

Noting that the Latino population in the U.S. is expected to triple by the year 2050, Janet Morana, Executive Director of Priests for Life and co-founder of Silent No More, said that given Hispanics’ “growing influence in the nation’s culture, politics and religious practice, it is essential to provide the education and healing resources to help strengthen a culture of life within their families and communities.”

To learn more about Shockwaves, go to www.AbortionShockwaves.com. To arrange media interviews with Silent No More leaders or families that have been impacted by abortion, call Leslie Palma at 347-286-7277 or email her at leslie@silentnomore.com

Since the launch of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign in 2003, 5,612 women and men have shared their testimonies publicly at over 1,195 gatherings in 48 states and 10 countries. More than 12,865 people representing 77 countries are registered to be Silent No More.  Raising awareness about the hurtful aftermath of abortion and the help that is available to cope with the pain are two of the Campaign’s goals.  The Campaign has over 1,718 testimonies posted here, with over 214 that are shared via video! 

The Silent No More Awareness Campaign is a joint project of Anglicans for Life and Priests for Life.  For more information, please visit our website: