Justin Timothy

Dr. von Schlichten

LA 150

5 December 2015

Catholic Social Teaching and Abortion

Catholic social teaching can be very influential and beneficial when teaching people

about morality. It sets guidelines for people to follow that are generally positive in nature. The

guidelines can be applied to many aspects of life, even some of the more controversial ones.

Abortion is a highly debated topic among many people around the globe. Some people are

against women getting an abortion by any means, while others oppose this viewpoint and want

women to be able to make a choice. Catholic social teaching looks down upon abortion greatly.

Abortion is when a woman who is pregnant terminates the pregnancy. Many states have

put restrictions on abortions, making it harder for them to go through the process to receive one.

26 states make women who want an abortion go on a waiting list prior to receiving an abortion.

Along with those restrictions, 37 states require minors that want an abortion to have parental

consent to do so. These laws may be detrimental to the health of the women seeking abortions.

The longer than a woman has to wait for an abortion, the higher the possibility that it will have

an adverse affect on her health. These laws also may make some women turn to abortion

methods that are not safe. Abortion methods that are unsafe account for 13% of all maternal

deaths around the world. Many countries that contribute to these deaths do not have safe abortion

methods widely available, or available at all. Abortion methods that are safe are more effective

in termination, and put the women receiving one in a much less danger.
 Abortion is against the guidelines set for Catholic social teaching. Catholic social

teaching places an extremely high value on human life, so it is evident that they very much

dislike anything taking life away from a baby that would have one. Catholic social teaching says

that humans are created in the image of God, therefore they are of the utmost importance. Ending

the life of what would be a baby is then compared to ending the life of something comparable to

God. A strong argument held by the Catholic Church is that a baby is an innocent life. People

should not take the life of an innocent life, and therefore should not get abortions. Catholic social

teaching also stresses the importance that all humans are equal. If all humans are equal, then each

and every one of them deserve the right to live. The Catholic Church also teaches about the

importance of family life. Certain things are learned from the family that can be difficult to learn

elsewhere. Basic emotions and knowledge, along with religion, are learned from the family. It is

hard to have a family life to teach things if the potential parents got an abortion.

I disagree with what Catholic social teaching has to say about abortion. There are some

instances where an abortion is a viable option for many women. It is unfair to not give them the

right to decide whether or not they want to go through the life changing decision of having a

child or not. Having a child has a major impact on the entire life of the mother and father of a

child, and also the entire families of each side involved. The main alternative to abortion is

adoption. It is not certain that a child would get adopted if they are put up for adoption. Then

they would have to live their childhood life in an orphanage. I would rather have a child not have

a life than feel unwanted and below others by being in an orphanage. Another potential reason

for abortion is evident when a woman is raped. If a woman gets pregnant from rape, then it

should be their right to have an abortion. If they went through with giving birth to that child, then

it would be a constant reminder of a horrific event that occurred in their life. No women, or
person for that matter, should have to have a reminder of a tragic event be a focal point of their

life. Even carrying the baby to birth would be tragic for a woman. Giving it up for adoption

could make them feel guilty for not providing a better life for the child. Medical conditions also

could be reasonable abortion. If the mother would die due to complications from a pregnancy,

then it should be their right to get an abortion to survive. The baby inside her has no connections

to the outside world yet, and the potential mother would.

Abortion does not necessarily affect me directly. I do not know anyone who has had one,

or anyone who has considered one. I do feel as though it could impact me in the future. It is

impossible for me to ever get one because I am a male. It is still an important issue because there

are millions of people in the world who struggle with the decision so have one. I feel as though if

they have a good reason to get one, then it should be allowed. I agree with Catholic social

teaching in the matter that human life is very important, but I am unsure as to at what point a

fetus becomes an actual human. I feel as though I would have a completely different opinion on

this matter if I was a pregnant woman though. It is extremely situational, but all abortion should

not be opposed.
 Work Cited

Baggaley, Rebecca F., Joanna Burgin, and Oona M. R. Campbell. "The Potential Of Medical

Abortion To Reduce Maternal Mortality In Africa: What Benefits For Tanzania And

Ethiopia?." Plos ONE 5.10 (2010): 1-9. Academic Search Elite. Web. 4 Dec. 2015.

Engelhardt, Jr., Tristram H. "Roman Catholic Social Teaching And Religious Hospital Identity

Ina Post-Christian Age." Christian Bioethics: Non-Ecumenical Studies In Medical

Morality 6.3 (2000): 295. Academic Search Elite. Web. 4 Dec. 2015.

Foster, Diana Greene, et al. "Attitudes And Decision Making Among Women Seeking Abortions

At One U.S. Clinic." Perspectives On Sexual & Reproductive Health 44.2 (2012): 117-

124. Academic Search Elite. Web. 4 Dec. 2015.

Massaro, Thomas. Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action. Franklin, WI: Sheed &

Ward, 2000. Print.

“Key Principles of Catholic Social Teaching.” Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice. July

2012.