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 that God has planned our lives before our conception. He has chosen what we will do. So we as humans have no right to end a life just because we think that the baby has no potential, because God may have great plans for that person.
There are many reasons why a woman may want to abort her child. The mother may have been raped and the baby might keep reminding her of the attack or might fear bad traits in the child. The foetus may be carrying hereditary illness, the mother’s life may be at risk, the mother may be underage and feels she can’t look after a baby and in some cases she might be trying to hide an affair.
Catholic view on abortion contradicts the law. There is difference between morality and legality. Roman Catholics see life as a gift from God. Abortion is a clear controversial issue. The main question is “when does life begin?” The Roman Catholic Church is quite clear.
Dorin symon
Paper 2B Christian (Roman Catholic) perspectives on personal, social and world issues
Centre no: 20809
Candidate no: 0161
St Francis of Assisi
The Catechism of the Catholic Church 2270 states that, “Human life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence a human being must be recognised as having the rights of a person…” This makes it clear that the Catholic Church is pro-life. The RC church argues that when the child is in the womb does it not grow and breathe just like other humans.
The Catholic Church believes that abortion is wrong and should never be allowed. Many Catholics would argue that abortion goes against the sixth commandment “do no kill”. The foetus is a human life and killing it would be considered as murdered. Catholics also believe that children are gift from God. When a couple have intercourse they should not rule out possibilities of conceiving. The church teaches that there is God given link between sex and fertility, which people should respect in their sexual behaviour.
Modern scientific research is trying to prove that a foetus has the same characteristics as a developed human. Some midwives claim that unusual movements are made by the foetus before it is aborted. This means that the foetus may feel the pain and knows that it is about to die. Luke 1:44 says, “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” This was said by Elizabeth when Mary visited her. Modern medical science tells us that a baby in the womb can hear and recognise sounds. “God created humans making them in his image; He created them male and female.” This quotation from Genesis 1:27, makes it clear that all humans are made in the image of God and destroying a foetus destroys a part of God.
Catholics believes that all life is sacred. Abortion goes against the sanctity of life. The church teaches that the life of a foetus is of its own. The Declaration on Procured Abortion states that, “…a life is begun which is neither that of the father nor that of the mother; it is rather the life of a new human being with his own growth.” This statement means that a foetus is an individual and is to be treated and respected as a mature human being. Abortion also places burden on doctors and nurses many of them who may have strong religious and moral values. Doctors who perform an abortion go against the Hippocratic Oath, which compels them to save life, not to destroy it.
Ectopic pregnancy is the only exception allowed by the Catholic Church. Ectopic pregnancy is when the baby grows in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus or if the mother develops cancer. In this case the mother will die if untreated, but the foetus is killed if treated. This dilemma is dealt with using the principle of double effect to say that the aim of removing the fallopian tube is to save the mother’s life and not to kill the foetus. Therefore, the death of the foetus is seen as a second (double) effect which is not intended.
There are many organisations like the SPUC (society for the protection of unborn children) who work to protect the lives of unborn babies. LIFE is also another organisation which aims to provide alternatives to abortion and offer long term support and care. Zoë’s hospice is a hospice where disabled and dying children are looked after. They aim to provide help to parents to deal with their fears and grief and to make the last few days of the children as happy as possible. This work is however quite hard. The Missionary Sisters
Dorin symon
Paper 2B Christian (Roman Catholic) perspectives on personal, social and world issues
Centre no: 20809
Candidate no: 0161
St Francis of Assisi
Of Charity in Washington DC once stated in a news report that, “Keeping up our spirits in the fight against abortion has become increasingly difficult as it has come to be accepted as an absolutely integral part of modern life.”
Every child is precious and a unique gift from God. No one has the right to end life. God is the giver of life and every child regardless of its disabilities should be welcomed by parents. The UN declaration on human rights states that, “The child, by reason of its physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth.” It is extremely wrong to kill an innocent child, however God is willing to forgive all sins, providing, we are truly sorry for them.