Abortion

[lavenderbees]

Hi

I am in the process of converting to the Church of England and I was wondering if anyone here knows what the official church guidelines are on the subject of abortion.

Thank you.

 

[Secundulus]

This excerpt is from the Church of England homepage.
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/science/abortion/abortion.pdf

The position of the Church of England is often compared to that of The Roman Catholic Church. This according to the [FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]Catechism of the Catholic Church [/FONT][/FONT]is that:

[FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognised as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]
[/FONT]This means that direct abortion is 'gravely contrary to the moral law'. The Church of England shares this general opposition to abortion. As the 1980 statement of the Board of Social Responsibility put it:

[FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]In the light of our conviction that the foetus has the right to live and develop as a member of the human family, we see abortion, the termination of that life by the act of man, as a great moral evil. We do not believe that the right to life, as a right pertaining to persons, admits of no exceptions whatever; but the right of the innocent to life admits surely of few exceptions indeed. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]
[/FONT]However, as that statement makes clear, the moral legitimacy of abortion under some circumstances is recognised. The 1983 resolution of Synod, after expressing concern about the number of abortions in recent years went on to recognise:

[FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]That in situations where the continuance of a pregnancy threatens the life of the mother a termination of pregnancy may be justified and that there must be adequate and safe provision in our society for such situations. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]
[/FONT]

 

[lavenderbees]

This excerpt is from the Church of England homepage.
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/science/abortion/abortion.pdf

The position of the Church of England is often compared to that of The Roman Catholic Church. This according to the [FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]Catechism of the Catholic Church [/FONT][/FONT]is that:

[FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognised as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. [/FONT][/FONT]

This means that direct abortion is 'gravely contrary to the moral law'. The Church of England shares this general opposition to abortion. As the 1980 statement of the Board of Social Responsibility put it:

[FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]In the light of our conviction that the foetus has the right to live and develop as a member of the human family, we see abortion, the termination of that life by the act of man, as a great moral evil. We do not believe that the right to life, as a right pertaining to persons, admits of no exceptions whatever; but the right of the innocent to life admits surely of few exceptions indeed. [/FONT][/FONT]

However, as that statement makes clear, the moral legitimacy of abortion under some circumstances is recognised. The 1983 resolution of Synod, after expressing concern about the number of abortions in recent years went on to recognise:

[FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]That in situations where the continuance of a pregnancy threatens the life of the mother a termination of pregnancy may be justified and that there must be adequate and safe provision in our society for such situations. [/FONT][/FONT]

Thanks for clarifying that. Although the Anglican Synod permits abortion under certain extreme circumstances, such as when pregnancy threatens the life of the mother, the Catholic Church still does not recognise a woman's right to protect her own life by terminating a dangerous pregnancy.

It is my personal opinion that the choice of whether to risk her life or not, should remain with the woman concerned. Obviously, I am talking about extreme circumstances (e.g. severe heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes, cancer, etc).

However, having accepted abortion under certain extreme circumstances, could it be that the Anglican Church has opened the flood gates to people who do not have good enough reasons for abortion? I know of an Anglican couple who are regular church-goers and yet they had an abortion because the doctors told them that their baby would be "extremely handicapped and might not live beyond birth". Is this reason acceptable to the Anglican Church?

 

[Secundulus]

Thanks for clarifying that. Although the Anglican Synod permits abortion under certain extreme circumstances, such as when pregnancy threatens the life of the mother, the Catholic Church still does not recognise a woman's right to protect her own life by terminating a dangerous pregnancy.

I believe that is incorrect. While not stated explicitly in the Catechism, I have read this in many reputable commentaries:

The Catholic Church does not recognize the validity of abortion under any circumstances. They define abortion as a procedure designed to terminate a pregnancy. However, a medical procedure intended to save a mother's life is in a different category. Here the intent of the procedure is to save a life and the termination of the pregnancy is a consequence of that. In this case, the termination would not be immoral. Perhaps this might seem to be drawing a fine line, but, at least to me, it makes perfect moral sense and is consistent with the faith.

See this article in the Catholic Encyclopedia:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01046b.htm
However, if medical treatment or surgical operation, necessary to save a mother's life, is applied to her organism (though the child's death would, or at least might, follow as a regretted but unavoidable consequence), it should not be maintained that the fetal life is thereby directly attacked. Moralists agree that we are not always prohibited from doing what is lawful in itself, though evil consequences may follow which we do not desire. The good effects of our acts are then directly intended, and the regretted evil consequences are reluctantly permitted to follow because we cannot avoid them. The evil thus permitted is said to be indirectly intended.

It is my personal opinion that the choice of whether to risk her life or not, should remain with the woman concerned. Obviously, I am talking about extreme circumstances (e.g. severe heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes, cancer, etc).

I agree.

However, having accepted abortion under certain extreme circumstances, could it be that the Anglican Church has opened the flood gates to people who do not have good enough reasons for abortion? I know of an Anglican couple who are regular church-goers and yet they had an abortion because the doctors told them that their baby would be "extremely handicapped and might not live beyond birth". Is this reason acceptable to the Anglican Church?

The Anglican Church does not take as hard a line as Rome on matter of faith and morals. While, in matters such as abortion, the Catholic Church defines moral and immoral, the Anglican Church states its belief, but leaves it up to each individual to discern the truth for themselves.

To quote again from the same source I used before.


The Church of England encourages its members to think through issues themselves in the light of the Christian faith and in dialogue with the Christian community. Inevitably there will be differences of emphasis or opinion between individuals. But there is a consistent Church of England position as expressed in reports and resolutions of the General Synod. In summary:
[FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]The Church of England combines strong opposition to abortion with a recognition that there can be - strictly limited - conditions under which it may be morally preferable to any available alternative. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Gill Sans MT,Gill Sans MT]
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[Minty]

However, having accepted abortion under certain extreme circumstances, could it be that the Anglican Church has opened the flood gates to people who do not have good enough reasons for abortion? I know of an Anglican couple who are regular church-goers and yet they had an abortion because the doctors told them that their baby would be "extremely handicapped and might not live beyond birth". Is this reason acceptable to the Anglican Church?

Just my opinion, but I would rather give the child to God before it had had to spend even one second on this earth in terrible pain and agony. I can think of nothing worse than making an innocent suffer

 

[lavenderbees]

Just my opinion, but I would rather give the child to God before it had had to spend even one second on this earth in terrible pain and agony. I can think of nothing worse than making an innocent suffer

Some babies and young children suffer, not as a result of what they were born with, but as a result of operations which were performed after their birth. I know of one such child who appeared to be in constant pain caused by uncontrolled muscle spasms. These were caused by the brain damage which he suffered during a botched operation shortly after his birth. Does this justify euthanasia? How about the commandment: "Thou shalt not kill"?

Sometimes a "severe handicap" could mean that the child will be born with a syndrome (e.g. Down's syndrome). There maybe little or no physical suffering for that child. Even when the doctors diagnose a severe handicap which may mean that the child will not live, it is possible for those doctors to misdiagnose. I know of one doctor who made such a diagnosis, only to declare after the abortion had taken place and the parents had refused a post-mortem: "So we'll never know for sure...."

 

[karen freeinchristman]

The official Anglican stance is pro-life, but does not dictate to individuals - there is much more room for the personal relationship with God to determine the decisions Anglicans make, rather than a command from some kind of 'representative' of Jesus on earth. And for those who have had abortions before finding faith in Jesus - there is forgiveness.

 

[Secundulus]

And for those who have had abortions before finding faith in Jesus - there is forgiveness.

I think that all Christians would agree with this. If there were no forgiveness, then we would all be lost.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

I think that all Christians would agree with this. If there were no forgiveness, then we would all be lost.

Totally true, brother.

 

[Minty]

Some babies and young children suffer, not as a result of what they were born with, but as a result of operations which were performed after their birth. I know of one such child who appeared to be in constant pain caused by uncontrolled muscle spasms. These were caused by the brain damage which he suffered during a botched operation shortly after his birth. Does this justify euthanasia? How about the commandment: "Thou shalt not kill"?

Of course not! I completely agree with the Commandants, but common sense and mercy also have their place.

Sometimes a "severe handicap" could mean that the child will be born with a syndrome (e.g. Down's syndrome). There maybe little or no physical suffering for that child. Even when the doctors diagnose a severe handicap which may mean that the child will not live, it is possible for those doctors to misdiagnose. I know of one doctor who made such a diagnosis, only to declare after the abortion had taken place and the parents had refused a post-mortem: "So we'll never know for sure...."

I don't consider Down's as a severe painful handicap, people with Down's can live completely normal lives (and they do). I look after a little boy with Autism and although he has severe learning difficulties, he is in no way in any type of pain nor is he suffering. I am taking about severe physical handicaps that leave the sufferers in acute and unrelenting pain 24/7.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Hi

I am in the process of converting to the Church of England and I was wondering if anyone here knows what the official church guidelines are on the subject of abortion.

Thank you.

It is frowned on as a means of contraception.

 

[brightmorningstar]

I concur with all Secundulus has said. Thank you Secundulus for helpful posts.

 

[Yin717]

Well you see I belive that a life is created as soon as the sperm has fertilized with the egg. Even if it was an unexpected pregauncy then tough. You should of used a condom properly. However if it;s rape I believe that that child is essentially created by sin and then you I beleive that you should have the choice to maybe abort. But that's just my view on the idea.

 

[Ave Maria]

Does the Episcopal Church in the USA believe differently on abortion than The Church of England?

 

[New_Found_Faith]

Hi

I am in the process of converting to the Church of England and I was wondering if anyone here knows what the official church guidelines are on the subject of abortion.

Thank you.

This may not directly apply to the OP, but I found this statement of the Episcopal Church on abortion:

http://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=1982-B009

Are statements like this considered official doctrine, or just an opinion of the hierarchy?