History
Theresa Karminski Burke, PhD, started one of the first therapeutic support groups for women who have had abortions in 1986 after founding The Center for Post Abortion Healing.
Theresa and her husband, Kevin Burke, a Licensed Social Worker, founded Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries. There were four retreats in 1995 and by 2002 there had been 133 retreats. In 2003, Rachel’s Vineyard became a ministry of Priests for Life and its board was structured accordingly.
"Rachel's Vineyard: A Psychological and Spiritual Journey for Post Abortion Healing" was written by Burke and first published in 1994. It was a support group model for counselors helping women who were grieving the loss of their aborted children. In 1995, Theresa adapted and expanded the curriculum into a format for weekend retreats. Soon individuals seeking healing began to travel from other states to experience this very effective healing process.
On June 15, 2002, Dr. Burke and David C. Reardon published a book called 'Forbidden Grief'. This book was a review of Dr. Theresa Burke’s experience in counseling hundreds of women for abortion-related emotional problems. In it, she discusses the pressure and coercion faced by many women before abortion, the ordeal of the abortion itself and the obstacles in the way of resolving and healing from the experience. She also reviews the full range and depth of post-abortion adjustment problems, and illustrates how we can create a more understanding and healing society where women will no longer be required to hide their pain.
As of 2010, Rachel's Vineyard holds over 700 retreats annually, in 47 states and 25 countries, with other new sites in development. The Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Manual has been translated into 10 languages with others in development.
The Burkes have lectured and trained professionals nationally and internationally on the subject of post-abortion trauma and healing. Rachel's Vineyard Ministries offers an annual Leadership Training Conference specifically designed for those who currently use the Rachel's Vineyard program. They also offer facilitation training for team members.
In February 2011, Burke was asked by the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life to make a presentation at its General Assembly about the latest research data regarding the impact of abortion on women.
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