Does the Catholic Church know when a human life begins, or are theologians still debating?
On the August 24 telecast of “Meet the Press,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked to comment on when life begins. Here is what she said: “I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the Church have not been able to make that definition.”
When Tom Brokaw told her that the Catholic Church “feels very strongly” that life begins at conception, Pelosi said, “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.”
Is when life begins a controversy in the Catholic Church? And is opposition to abortion something recent?
Daver2008-08-28T13:43:00Z
Favorite Answer
2271 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:
You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.
God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.
2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.
2322 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.
2274 Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being.
Prenatal diagnosis is morally licit, "if it respects the life and integrity of the embryo and the human fetus and is directed toward its safe guarding or healing as an individual. . . . It is gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent of a death sentence."
Technically this is true. St. Thomas Aquinas for example, did not think that the rational immaterial soul entered the body until the age of reason. The vast majority of theologians since then, disagree with that idea. Keep in mind that St. Thomas was one of the greatest and most influential minds in the Church, but on this matter She (the Church) disagrees sharply with him. Just goes to show you that the Church's mission is to make clear the Truth of Christ, and to proclaim the Truth that Christ promised to give through the Holy Spirit, not to cater to any particular theologian per se.
The Church teaches that there is good reason and evidence to suppose that human life begins at conception. In other words, the biological creation of a completely unique genetic individual greatly supports that conception is the moment the soul and body become a single entity. This is mere biology. However, even if there is doubt about that matter, the church decrees that one should always err on the side of life even if we do not know the exact moment the soul and body become one, lest we commit atrocities against life such as abortion.
Seems as though Ms. Pelosi is definitely playing with words and skirting around issues. An unfortunate happening in politics.
Like Meg M said, it is a science question. The church teaches murdering innocent life is wrong, science teaches when it is life.
Speaker Pelosi is basically regurgitating the propaganda from the Catholics for Choice organization.
Bumble Bear, you are greatly underestimating the scope of the Catholic church. There are a great many Catholics throughout the world, and when scientific questions need to be answered, the church does gather eminent scientists to discuss the issue, or have the Vatican scientist in the respective discipline go over the research and ascertain the answer.
There is no longer any question. Life begins at the moment of conception.
There was various theological ideas, sure, but the Church is firm in the stance that life begins at the moment of conception... that means that at the moment of conception the embryo has an eternal soul, it is an individual, a person, known and loved by God. This is official Church teaching.
There might be some theologians who feel differently, but they are not an authority in the Church, and theirs is a personal opinion, not an opinion held by the Church.
She's very wrong. The Catholic stance has "never" been an issue of controversy. The idea of Not having children is Not a concept approved by any means or method. There is the exception of abstinence. Furthermore, any sin against a child is considered a Grave matter. In the past (history) of the Church; They have established orphanages, homes for unwed mothers, adoptions... offering alternatives to such crimes against children. All of these options offered prior to DNA knowledge. Abortion has always been a huge No No. She must of missed her elementary CCD classes. As I recall, the subject is introduced when we reach the 6th grade level. We held a 2 hour class accompanied by a movie showing the fertilization of an egg (the point of conception).