Abortion

What is abortion?

• An abortion 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 commandment of “thou shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13) by terminating a life

Why is this challenge significant

Abortion violates:

Dignity of the Human Person (Catholic Social Teaching)

“Thou Shall not Kill” (fifth Commandment/ Exodus 20:13)

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 - 2008

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 as it states “it is objectively a grave sin to dare to risk murder #13”

-          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 as they state that abortion is the “cause of grave moral decline.”

Focuses on:

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

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, including through the share of “Public Information and Education” to deepen understanding of the sanctity of human life

Statement from Catholic Bishops of Victoria

• 2008

  -          Catholic Bishops gave a statement regarding the anniversary of the decriminalization of abortion in Victoria

  -          The statement explained the legalization of abortion but made it clear that it still goes against many beliefs of the church and that “Legalising abortion contributes to public acceptance of the practice”

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.

- The statement, while not explicitly condemning the decision of the overturning of Roe V Wade, highlighted the need for a renewed societal focus on the value of life at all stages as they stated “In the era of universal human rights, there cannot be a ‘right’ to taking a human life.”

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

CCC 2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception