Replies

Abortion is a mortal sin because abortion is the killing of an innocent human person and therefore against one of the ten commandments. I don't know if any Pope has spoken infallibly on abortion per se, but I know that the Church has opposed abortion (before it was called abortion) from its earliest days.

Your second question is a moot point in light of the fact that abortion breaks one of the ten commandments. No Catholic can remain in good standing and encourage others to have an abortion, either personally or by supporting their "legal right" to have an abortion, regardless of one's own personal feelings regarding abortion. Catholics may be torn on this issue, and I'm sure many are. In that case, they must pray for understanding and wisdom to accept the teachings of the Church, which are handed down by God and through His Son, Jesus Christ. But they can not actively oppose the teachings of the Church.

I have a big problem, personally, with people who say they are personally pro-life (they would never have an abortion themselves), but say they "support a woman's right to choose". My first question: Why are they pro-life? Why would they never have an abortion themselves? The answer has to be one of two things: either they believe the unborn child is in fact a human being from the earliest days of conception; or, they want to support the teaching of their church (Catholic and many other Christian denominations oppose abortion). If they believe the unborn are, in fact, human beings, how can they support anyone else killing this human being? If they don't believe the unborn are human beings, then why support the teaching of the church? Wouldn't they think the church was in error?

Catholic and pro-life Protestant churches believe abortion is wrong because abortion takes the life of an innocent human person. Therefore, under no circumstances, would it be OK for ANYONE to take that innocent life.

Our society has really become hardened in our view of life. Life has become expendable. Women struggle with the "decision" to abort because they have no support -- their boyfriends and mothers are pressuring them "not to ruin their life" and they receive little support and comfort. Yes, they made a mistake ... but should one mistake mean they need to make a greater mistake? One that not only torments their emotional well-being, but their eternal soul?

God bless.

Hi, thanks for the reply. The point I wanted to make was that Catholics often decide that the church is wrong on this matter or that, and then side with a position that is against it's teaching. Many of the same Catholics then condemn other Catholics for doing the same in matters where they happen to agree with Church teaching.

You pointed out that you believe the Iraq conflict is a just war, and therefore support it despite the pope's passionate opposition. I see this as somewhat similar to a Catholic who may understand that others who do not share the same religious faith may come to different conclusions about the value of embryonic human life. Such a Catholic might decide to personally follow the teachings of the Church on the matter of abortion, but may also decide to oppose laws that would imprison or otherwise punish those who sincerely disagree with this teaching.

Please bear in mind, also, that both of these issues (Iraq and abortion) are matters of life and death. While I happen to agree with you that the Iraq war is justified, many, including the pope, passionately disagree because they know that the prosecution of this war will cause the death of many innocent civillians, including children. If, in the eyes of the church, a pro-choice person colludes in the taking of innocent human life by merely supporting legal abortion, then doesn't a person who merely supports this war do the same?