The Catholic Church’s position on abortion is clear and firm, based on the teaching of the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. According to Catholic doctrine, abortion constitutes a grave sin and a morally unacceptable act, since it attacks human life, which is a divine gift. Throughout the centuries, the Church has defended this principle, guided by the teachings of Scripture, tradition, and the papal magisterium.
The teaching of the Church on Abortion
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception” (CIC, 2270). The Church considers that the fetus is a person from the first moment of its conception, so there is no moral justification for interrupting the gestation of a human life. This principle is based on the love and protection of life, which reflects God’s love for every human being.
Throughout history, the Church has maintained a consistent stance on abortion, condemning the practice as a grave sin. Abortion is not only rejected by Catholic morality, but is also considered an offense against the divine plan of creation.
The Recent Popes and Their Stance on Abortion
Pope John XXIII (1958-1963), during his papacy, laid the foundations for the Church’s teaching on abortion in the context of the Second Vatican Council, an event that marked the renewal of the Church. Although he did not focus specifically on abortion, his encyclical Pacem in Terris (1963) promoted human dignity, which would later influence the magisterium’s stance on abortion.
Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) addressed the issue in his encyclical Humanae Vitae (1968), which, although it focused more on contraception, extended the reflection on respect for life in all its forms. In it, Pope Paul VI stated that birth control and attempts to control human life artificially could lead to dehumanization and devaluation of life.
Saint John Paul II (1978-2005) was one of the most influential popes in the fight against abortion. In his encyclical Evangelium Vitae (1995), Saint John Paul II clearly reaffirmed that “abortion is murder, always and in all circumstances.” During his pontificate, he strongly promoted the defense of life from conception, stressing that human life is sacred and must be protected.
Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013) continued the teaching of his predecessor. On several occasions, he expressed his condemnation of abortion, stressing that “there is no situation that can justify abortion.” In his encyclical Deus Caritas Est (2005), Benedict XVI stressed the importance of human life and its relationship to God’s love. In his speeches, he called on society to protect the most vulnerable, including the unborn.
Pope Francis (2013-present) has been equally forceful in his rejection of abortion. In his interventions, he has spoken of the throwaway culture, referring to abortion as part of a global phenomenon that seeks to exclude the weakest and most vulnerable. In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (2013), Francis spoke of the need to defend human life from conception and protect unborn children. In one of his interventions, he also urged Catholics to be more compassionate and to accompany women in crisis, but always reaffirming that abortion is never the solution.
In addition, Pope Francis has continued to work to promote policies that defend life. On his visit to the United States in 2015, he met with members of Congress to underscore the Church’s stance on abortion and the need for lawmakers to protect life at all stages.
The Catholic Church’s position on abortion has remained firm throughout the centuries, affirming that human life is a divine gift that must be protected from conception to natural death. The last five popes, from St. John Paul II to Pope Francis, have been consistently clear in their rejection of abortion, promoting the defense of life in all its aspects. The Church has also called on society and the faithful to accompany women in difficult situations, but always defending the inalienable value of human life from the first moment of conception.
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