Josiah: Abortion Survivor

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September, 07, 2025

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Meet Josiah: Abortion survivor

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Josiah Presley shared his powerful testimony of surviving an abortion attempt. More on Survivors here

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Abortion survivor. Josiah Presley, captivates Dublin audience

On Sunday, 7th September, Josiah Presley shared his powerful testimony of not only surviving an abortion attempt but how after learning of the circumstances of his birth, he grew from harbouring hatred towards his birth parents and those on the pro-abortion side of the argument, to instead showing love and forgiveness towards these people, where he also found peace in knowing his own value in the eyes of God.

Josiah's testimony was a powerful reminder of the inescapable truth that every child in the womb is a precious human being and every abortion kills a living, growing human being. His story reveals that fundamental pro-life tenet to be an undeniable truth.

He survived an abortion and is here to tell the tale. It was wonderful to see how many young people, in particular, crowded the room in Leopardstown on Sunday to hear his story and be inspired by his courage.

Josiah was raised in a pro-life family of 12, 10 children - including himself - of whom were adopted, but it wasn’t until he was 13 when he was told the truth about his birth. When his mother was two months pregnant with him, she had a D&C abortion, which is a procedure that involves ripping the baby apart. Thinking the abortion was a success, she went home, but discovered a few months later, Josiah had survived. She gave birth to him, where he was then placed in a foster home for 13 months until his parents adopted him.

However, after hearing this truth, what followed for Josiah was hurt and resentment towards his parents, as well as those who have abortions and doctors who provide abortions.

Having already felt worthless and of lower value due to his deformity, he felt learning this confirmed his fears about his worth – that because his parents tried to take his life, then his life was worthless. He said this is when he cared about the pro-life movement but in the wrong way due to his anger, hatred, and hurt towards those who support, commit and provide abortions.

It wasn’t until he was 16 where during a camp, he formed a relationship with Jesus Christ where he found value and purpose in his own life, because he “is a human created in the image of God.” But in finding this peace through this relationship, he also faced the reality that those on the other side of the abortion argument, those he thought he hated - his birth parents, abortion providers - are also valuable because they too are also “humans created in the image of God.”

His attitude changed and he began to care about the pro-life cause in a much more loving way and urged everyone attending to do the same - to be a movement that loves everyone, including those on the other side of the abortion debate, for it is by showing love we can change hearts and minds.

Our thanks to the Legionnaires of Christ for making this conference space available and to everyone who supported this inspiring event, especially the BBQ cooks! We will be doing more with Josiah’s wonderful story. Watch this space.