Abortion

The following information was obtained after reading and talking to folks about the issue of abortion. We found that the catholic church has historically opposed abortion, and in 1974 the Church issued a new encyclical on the issue procured abortion. The new encyclical declared that an unborn fertilized human egg is a human being upon the moment of fertilization. The catholic church encyclical made it clear that this declaration is separate and distinct from biological science. A human being is defined as a person.

Some Catholics found it impossible to believe that a fertilized human egg is a person as a matter of religious faith at the same time they know that a fertilized human egg a not a person as a matter of biological science. Other Catholics could not in good conscious believe a human egg becomes a person upon the moment of fertilization, but did believe that an unborn human embryo could very well become a person during a later stage of embryotic development, prior to natural birth. In the months and years after 1974 encyclical was issued some Christians began to understand the encyclical to declared that an unborn fertilized human egg was a person as a matter of biological science as well as religious doctrine. Good and well meaning Christians sought the enactment of civil legislation prohibiting abortion at all stages of pregnancy. They also sought penalties appropriate for the crime of murder.

This was a misunderstanding of catholic doctrine. The 1974 encyclical is a declaration of religious faith, and can have no biological effect upon an unborn human embryo.

More recently some Christians have made the argument that the United States is a predominantly Christian nation and therefore all citizens and residences should be required to follow to follow the Christian faith. These folks have succeeded in obtaining passage of legislation in several states prohibiting abortion during all stages of pregnancy, and providing severe penalties appropriate for the crime of murder. Such penalties are clearly not supported by Christian Doctrine. We found that the Christian church was established by Christ himself for the purpose of continuing his teaching here on earth after his ascension into heaven. You will remember Christ appointed Apostle Peter to head up his church and declared that Peter was the rock upon which he would build his church. The entire body of Christian teaching can be found in the Holy Bible, and it should be noted that the Bible does not condemn abortion. The Bible does not say that abortion is sinful or morally wrong. The Bible does not tell us that a fertilized human egg is a person upon the moment of fertilization.

A passage from the Old Testament, Book of Numbers provides that if a husband so much as suspects his wife became pregnant as a result of out of wedlock intercourse, he should bring her to the priest and the priest will give her a solution to drink called "bitter water" which will cause her abdomen to painfully swell, her womb to miscarry and bring a curse upon her if she has in fact become pregnant as a result of out of wedlock intercourse. If the woman has not made herself impure she will be cleared of guilt and will be able to have children. - Old Testament, Numbers 5, New International Version.

There are other versions of this same passage. Which vary widely, but non the less, this passage gives us insight into the Old Testaments attitude toward abortion. The passage leaves the determination as to whether the woman was unfaithful to her husband up to the Lord, but leaves no doubt as to whether inducing a miscarriage is a proper and morally acceptable way of resolving of a unwanted pregnancy. No thought what-so-ever is given to the possibility that destroying a human embryo might be considered murder. It is impossible to conclude that Christian doctrine calls for imposing civil penalties for procuring or preforming abortion

Catholic Church doctrine on the issue of abortion in existence at the time of publication of the 1974 encyclical provides that a human soul enters the body of an unborn human embryo at the time of quickening. Quickening generally occurs during the 4th or 5th month of pregnancy. Procuring an abortion prior to quickening is considered to be a less serious offense calling for a lesser penance.

It does not appear that Catholic doctrine calls for the imposition of civil penalties for procuring an abortion or for preforming an abortion during the first five months of pregnancy. This is confirmed by the fact that every time a Catholic bishop initiates action to sanction Catholic political leaders for their pro abortion position, such as the actions taken against senator Kennedy and President Biden, these actions are promptly dismissed by the church.

To resolve this question should Your Christian Neighbor ask catholic clergy the following questions?

1. Does the Catholic Church call for civil penalties for procuring or for preforming an abortion after the first 5 months of pregnancy?

2. Does the Catholic Church call for imposing civil penalties appropriate for the crime of murder for procuring or preforming an abortion after the 5th month of pregnancy?