The Church's constant teaching on abortion
Eucharistic Adoration tonight, 7-8 pm, SAA Church. Please join us!!
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The following statement is from Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl (Aug. 25, 2008):
On Meet the Press this past Sunday, August 24, 2008, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi made statements regarding the teaching of the Catholic Church, human life and abortion that were incorrect.
Speaker Pelosi responded to a question on when life begins by mentioning she was Catholic. She went on to say, “And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the Church have not been able to make that definition...”
After Mr. Tom Brokaw, the interviewer, pointed out that the Catholic Church feels strongly that life begins at conception, she replied, “I understand. And this is like maybe 50 years or something like that. So again, over the history of the church, this is an issue of controversy.”
We respect the right of elected officials such as Speaker Pelosi to address matters of public policy that are before them, but the interpretation of Catholic faith has rightfully been entrusted to the Catholic bishops. Given this responsibility to teach, it is important to make this correction for the record.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear: the current teaching of the Catholic Church on human life and abortion is the same teaching as it was 2,000 years ago. The Catechism reads: “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception…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.” (Catechism, 2270-2271)
The Catechism goes on to quote the Didache, a treatise that dates to the first century: “’You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.’”
From the beginning, the Catholic Church has respected the dignity of all human life from the moment of conception to natural death.
posted by Fr Greg @ 8:33 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
In that interview, Pelosi described herself as an “ardent, practicing Catholic.” Glad to hear she agrees “that God has given us, each of us, a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions.” Thoughts from the last few weeks’ talks about Heaven, Hell & Purgatory come to mind.
In light of the recent post regarding excommunication- why aren’t people who publicly advocate abortion excommunicated? Why doesn’t the church take action against these people who not only support but actively, openly advocate and legislate in favor of abortion?
I watched the Pelosi-Brokaw interview on msnbc.com in hopes of watching Brokaw's jaw hit the desk when Pelosi asserted that the Church's stance on abortion was of recent vintage and still up for debate. Unfortunately, the camera wasn't on Brokaw at the moment she made her statement. Certainly I'm astounded that ANYBODY could be less than clear on the Church's position!
"Why doesn’t the church take action against these people who not only support but actively, openly advocate and legislate in favor of abortion?"
Believing that true glory comes with the surrender of life to faith that the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father, to judge each of us according to our works is more than enough action for me.
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