Abortion

What is abortion?

• An abortion (or termination) is the medical process of ending a pregnancy so it does not result in the birth of a baby.

Overview of Abortion

Date: ongoing

Location: Global

Source: Societal laws and attitudes regarding the legality of Abortions     

Nature of Abortion

External – societal laws

Type of challenge

Ethical challenge – violates the CST of the ‘Dignity of the human person” and the sixth commandment of “thou shall not be killed” by terminating a life

Why is this challenge significant

Abortion violates:

Dignity of the Human Person (Catholic Social Teaching)

“Thou Shall not Kill” (Sixth Commandment)

stances

all stances are against/defensive of abortion

At Vatican II, the following was declared:

“Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes." (1965)

Overview of Responses

Declaration on procured abortion - 1974

Encyclical; Evangelium Vitae - 1995

pastoral plan for pro life activities - 2001

Statement from Catholic Bishops of Victoria - 2009

Pontifical academy for life statement - 2022

Declaration on procured Abortion

• 1974

-          Prepared and presented by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

-          Promulgated by Pope Paul VI

-          Reiterates and explains the unchanging teachings of the Church on the issue

-          Implores people to abide by their conscience and “law of God” above civil, secular laws

 

Encyclical; Evangelium Vitae

• 1995

-          “Evangelium Vitae,” means “The Gospel of Life,”

Written to:

-          reiterate the view of the Roman Catholic Church on the value of life

-          warn against violating the sanctity of life

Focuses on:

-          right to life issues including abortion, birth control, and euthanasia,

-          Touches on embryology, such as contraception, in vitro fertilization, sterilization, embryonic stem cell research, and fetal experimentation

 

pastoral plan for pro life activities

• 2001

-          Issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in response to Evangelium Vitae:

-          The U.S. bishops call upon all the resources of the Church--its people, services, and institutions--to work together to build a culture of life.

-          Offers practical suggestions for how to enact these teachings

Statement from Catholic Bishops of Victoria

• 2008

  -          Catholic Bishops gave a statement regarding the anniversary (1 year) of the decriminilisation of abortion in Victoria (which happened in 2008)

  -          The statement explained the legalization of abortion but made it clear that it still goes against many beliefs of the church and is still considered ‘wrong’

Pontifical academy for life statement

• 2022

-          Pontifical Academy for Life of the Roman Catholic Church is a group chosen by the Pope who are there to promote the Church's consistent life ethic.

-          following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the US Supreme Court, emphasizing the importance of protecting human life and promoting a culture of life.

- The statement, while not explicitly condemning the decision, highlighted the need for a renewed societal focus on the value of life at all stages

Aspects challenged by Abortion

Ethics: Dignity of the human person, 6th commandment ‘thou shall not kill”

Texts: Goes against the CCC

Aspects supporting the response

Ethics: Dignity + commandment

Texts: CCC says why abortion should not occur

Social structure: Christian leaders address the challenge

Quotes

• “Nothing and no one can in any way permit the killing of an innocent human being, whether a foetus or an embryo, an infant or an adult, an old person, or one suffering from an incurable disease, or a person who is dying.” – pope John Paul II

  Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law" (CCC. 2271).

  “Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes." (1965) - Vatican II

  From the time that the ovum is fertilized, a life is begun which is neither that of the father nor of the mother, it is rather the life of a new human being with his own growth. – declaration on procured abortion #12

  it is objectively a grave sin to dare to risk murder – Declaration on procured abortion #13

  “the latter is opposed to the virtue of justice and directly violates the divine commandment "You shall not kill".” – Evangelium Vitae