Open letter from Cardinals of England, Wales & Scotland on abortion
Open Letter on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act from the Presidents of the Catholic Bishops' Conferences of Scotland and England and Wales.
Posted: Monday, October 22, 2007, 18:18 (BST)
In the years since 1967 much has been made of the slogan 'the woman's right to choose'. Yet the right to make a genuine choice is exactly what very many women who have abortions say they do not have.
Abortion is a moment of choice. Abortion is always a choice between life and death, but we recognize that it is made in complex personal and domestic situations.
It can be especially difficult for the mother if she feels abandoned by her partner or that by having the child she will lose the support of her family or society.
Women in this situation can feel intensely isolated. Many women and men, too, already feel the pressure of caring for their families.
They often have to cope with financial burdens and the demands of a career. In such situations, family relationships can feel so strained that they do not feel they can welcome another life.
If the pregnancy is unwanted it can be easier to argue that it is somehow in the interests of the child not to be born because the child will not be welcomed.
At times, the life of the child is seen as an unnecessary limitation on the mother and the father. The child's life is placed in opposition to theirs.
When this happens abortion can be portrayed as the lesser of two evils which removes an obstacle to the "success" of the parents' lives.
Yet life, especially new life, is ultimately never a deprivation. It is a gift that always enriches; a promise filled with hope. We should never let ourselves be persuaded otherwise.
Often, 'a woman's right to choose' fails to acknowledge the role of the father. It seems to pass over the fact that the majority of men do want to be fathers of their children.
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Saturday, October 18, 2008, 6:20 (BST)
Just think! Those that are for abortion, if their parents aborted them, they wouldn't be here to enjoy their family, friends, rights and pleasures this life has to offer. Also if they have contributed much to the betterment of their society and the world, then that wouldn't have happened either. My children jumped in my womb when a loud noise would occur and they had hiccups. I've seen pictures of babies sucking their thumbs in the womb. It was such a joy to carry them as they were developing in my body. They are my two wonderful miracles God blessed me with. Grown now, they are certainly assets to their society , country and world they live in. Even if the mom doesn't want the child she can give the child up for adoption to an individual or couple who are barren that yearn to have children to love and nurture. I believe that all aborted babies have souls and spirits and on that day of accountability (judgment) I want God to tell the abortionist and that mom( who are unrepentant) face to face yes, murder it was, and then introduce to them the souls of the life or lives they took. I also believe not only individuals directly responsible for the abortion are held accountable but are also the leaders and lawmakers of the lands. I pray for God's mercy on the USA because of the millions of abortions that have taken place here and also that He will wake all Christians up about their complacency, remind them what they're here for, to live for Him and evangelize their family, community, state, country and world they live in. Jesus said He is The Way, The Truth and The Life, no one comes to the Father but through Him. It is through Jesus Christ that Salvation comes, that one can have an abundantly life here now, a promise of Eternal Life to literally live with our Creator in the New Heavens and Earth to come. I look so forward to that time. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we must be extensions of God's Love to all. God Bless all of you.
Bonnie Coyle, Sharpsburg, Georgia USA
