Christian (Roman Catholic) perspectives on personal, social and world issues

Authors Avatar
Dorin symon

Paper 2B Christian (Roman Catholic) perspectives on personal, social and world issues

Centre no: 20809

Candidate no: 0161

St Francis of Assisi

AO1) a) What is meant by the term abortion?

b) What biblical and church teachings might be used in a discussion about abortion?

Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy. Pope John Paul II recalls that the Vatican II described abortion as an 'unspeakable crime'. (Gaudium et Specs 51). Abortion is also said to be a lethal attack on the body of a child, with or without the intention of ending its life. An unborn child is called an embryo until 8nweeks after which it is called a foetus.

Before 1967, abortion was illegal this la w even though it aimed to protect the lives of unborn babies, it failed to protect the lives of the baby and the mother. For women without money 'backstreet' abortion became an option. Poor hygiene, use of banned drugs and lack of sterile equipments meant that many women not only killed their babies but also put their own lives in danger. Many women bled to death. The abortion act of 1967 was passed by David Steel, a Christian politician to reduce the number of deaths, infections and injuries. The abortion act stated that with the approval of two doctors an abortion could take place under the following conditions:

* The mother's physical or mental health is at risk

* The mother's life is at risk if the pregnancy continues

* There is risk of harm to existing children

* Scans or tests show that the baby is badly physically or mentally disabled and has a deformity meaning it is unlikely to live at birth.
Join now!


This last statement undermines the value of life. John Paul II, in Lourdes stated that "life is a sacred gift and no one can presume to be its master." This statement means that even though a child may be disabled at birth it is still a precious gift from God and deserves the respect, love and care shown to any other human being. In Jeremiah 1:5 it says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nation." This quotation shows ...

This is a preview of the whole essay