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ABORTION/EUTHANASIA
(Q): Can I be excommunicated for having an abortion? What if my boyfriend paid for it?
(A): According to the Code of Cannon Law 1398 a person who knowingly and freely procures a completed abortion incurs a latae sententiae (excommunication). 1329, §2 on complicity in a delict punished by a latae sententiae penalty is especially relevant, since numerous persons may be involved in procuring the abortion, e.g., parents of the aborted fetus, their families, doctor, nurses,etc.In a meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops a strong statement was issued, "No Catholic can responsibly take a 'pro-choice' stand when the 'choice' in question involves the taking of innocent human life."
(Q): Will God forgive me?
(A): If you are sorry for any sin from the depths of your heart, God will forgive you. (see Mercy of God)(Q): Abortion and euthanasia, what do they have in common?
(A): In both situations innocent life is taken. Why is innocent life taken? Because this life, this innocent life is considered to be an economic burden by someone.(Q): What is a driving force behind abortion and euthanasia?
(A): Selfishness! Those committing these acts think only of themselves, not of the life that is a gift from God. It is not of our choosing to take life, whether it be by abortion or euthanasia. We are created in the image of God, the author of life. It is God who gives life and it is God who takes away life. We as humans have no choice in the matter.Abortion: Abortion is a refusal to accept the consequences of our actions. Here are some reasons women choose abortion:
- Many women think that because abortion is legal that it is right
- Fear of the future
- Afraid that their boyfriend, spouse will leave them
- Parents encourage an abortion because mother is not of age
- Afraid what parents, relatives, friends might think.
- Lack of money to support a child
- Lack of trust in God and in oneself
- Mother is raped.
Yes, there are some instances when abortion might seem the only route to go, but we must remember Jesus' birth. Jesus was conceived to a mother out of wedlock, and she was barely 16 years old. Mary did not fear the words of the Angel Gabriel stating she would conceive a child. Mary was aware of the consequences of conceiving prior to marriage---being stoned to death. Yet Mary trusted in God and everything worked out. Why doesn't anyone want to trust in God anymore?
Euthanasia: If one has not developed a relationship with the suffering Christ then suffering has no meaning (see Power of Suffering). Those who freely give consent to ending their lives are missing the true meaning of life. They do not understand that their suffering gives great glory to God. They do not realize how the suffering they experience is purification and purging that God provides to prepare a soul to join God for eternity. Suffering is the most powerful form of prayer.
What are the calculations that support life?
The calculations go something like this A + B = C
...A The egg alone (without the sperm) is not alive.
+ B The sperm alone (without the egg) is not alive
= C The egg plus the sperm united equals--you got it! LIFE!(Q): Did the early church believe that abortion was a sin?
(A): The Pro-life movement is traced all the way back to the 1st Century (and earlier) to a collection of apostolic teachings called the Didache.The passage below from the DIDACHE shows that in the 1st century, abortion was considered to be murder. It also shows that our brothers and sisters of the first century were not very different from the age in which we are living. It very clearly shows the selfishness of women who are only concerned with themselves so much so as to commit murder.
(1a #2) You shall not procure abortion, nor destroy a newborn child [DIDACHE ca. A. D. 140]
(396a Callistus) For this reason women who were reputed to be believers began to take drugs to render themselves sterile, and to bind themselves tightly so as to expel what was being conceived, since they would not, on account of relatives and excessive wealth, want to have a child by a slave or by any insignificant person. See, then, into what great impiety that lawless one has proceeded, by teaching adultery and murder at the same time!
[ST HIPPOLYTUS OF ROME post A. D. 2222](Q): Is there proof from the Bible that life begins in the womb?
(A): Yes, see below:(Ps. 127:3) - "Lo, sons are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward".
(Is. 44:24) - "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb…"
(Is. 49:1) -" …The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name".
(Is. 49:5) - "And now the Lord says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant…"
(Lk. 1:15) - "…for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb,"
(Lk. 1:31)- "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus…"
(Lk. 1:41-42, 44) - "And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy."
