A Culture Of Life Part Two

A CULTURE OF LIFE

Abortion

"Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured  abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law." (CCC #2271)

Before any other life issue is considered, the fundamental right to life of the unborn takes prominence. At the earliest stages of life we are the most vulnerable, depended upon the care and love of another. To consider that the value of this life at its most precious and fragile state is dependant solely on the affections of another, even his or her mother, is to deny completely the value of any life. How can we possibly talk about the value of human life at any stage if we can deny it at its earliest. If our value is dependent upon the views of others than we have no intrinsic value at all.  If, because we can, because we have the ability to decide if this life is of value, we can decide to end life, how can we decry the actions of the powerful over the weak in situations of tyranny, of government abuses, even of murder itself. As John Paul II says: "Looking at the situation from this point of view, it is possible to speak in a certain sense of a war of the powerful against the weak: a life which would require greater acceptance, love and care is considered useless, or held to be an intolerable burden, and is therefore rejected in one way or another.  A person who, because of illness, handicap or, more simply, just by existing, compromises the well-being or life-style of those who are more favored tends to be looked upon as an enemy to be resisted or eliminated." (GL #12)

So serious is the offense of abortion that the Church imparts the severest penalty for those who obtain abortions and those who cooperate in the process. "Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life." (CCC #2272).  While the Church recognizes that many factors lead to the decision to end a pregnancy in abortion, the graveness of the action nonetheless requires the most serious response.  The mercy of God allows for release from this penalty of excommunication upon repentance and the reception of Sacramental Absolution. Great sympathy must be offered to those women who choose abortion because of the moral ambiguity our society is mired in and the feeling of desperation that often occurs with unwanted pregnancies. Forgiveness and redemption are the hoped for outcome for all who sin, especially those who do so out of fear, confusion, and desperation. This sad state of affairs is further complicated by a society that not only sees crimes against life as acceptable but even an individual's "right." "It is not only that in generalized opinion these attacks tend no longer to be considered as 'crimes'; paradoxically they assume the nature of 'rights', to the point that the State is called to give them legal recognition and to make them available through the free services of health-care personnel." (GL #11) The right to life is the preeminent right which supersedes all other rights.