The following is taken from a Catholic circular, and written by Fr. William Saunders.
" Sometimes I have met Catholics - epically where I work - who say, "I am personally against abortion, but I am pro-choice." To me, that makes no sense, but how can I argue with them?
The pro-abortion movement has made great gains using the "pro-choice" label. First, the "pro-choice" label numbs our moral sensitivity because it masks that anyone really is for abortion, ignores scientific and medical evidence and diverts attention from the act itself. Secondly, the idea of being "pro-choice" seems to appeal to Americans who cherish freedom and the idea of being free to choose rather than being forced to do anything.
In arguing against this "pro-choice position, one must first focus on the heart of the choice - a child. Proceeding from a purely, scientific approach, we know that when conception occurs, a new and unique human being is created. The DNA genetic code attests to this uniqueness. (Why else has DNA coding become so important in identifying criminals?)
Moreover, from that moment of conception, the child continues to develop and to grow; the child is born, matures to adolescence and then adulthood and eventually dies. Note though that this is all the same person who was conceived: all that has been added is nourishment, time and hopefully a lot of love. Therefore, our Church teaches, "From the time that the ovum is fertilized, a life is begun which is neither that of the father nor of the mother; it is rather the life of a new human being with his own growth. It would never be made human if it were not human already" (Declaration on Procured Abortion, no. 12, 1974).
For further information, please check the Nov. 11, 2002 issue of "Time" entitled, "Inside the Womb: An amazing Look at How We All Began; The Latest Science on How Healthy Babies Are Born." Also the video and book under the same title, "The Miracle of Life" are also excellent resources.
Interestingly, this past Fall, General Electric had a commercial showing the new technology/photography they developed enabling doctors to see clearly and in color the baby developing inside the womb of the mother. This new technology far surpasses that of ultrasound. When I first saw the commercial, I said, "Seeing this, how could anyone be for abortion?" The commercial had an impact: Planned Parenthood and the Abortion Rights Action League lobbied General Electric so much that they removed the commercial from television.
Moving beyond science to the level of faith, we also believe that almighty God creates and infuses a unique and immortal soul into that body. This soul - our spiritual principle - is what gives each person that identity of being made in God's image and likeness. (Cf. Catechism, no. 363-368). Even if there were some doubt that God infused the soul at conception or some doubt that the conceived child were truly a person, "it is objectively a grave sin to dare to risk murder.’The one who will be a man is already one'" (Declaration, no. 13).
We find the Sacred Scripture testimony to the sanctity of life in the womb: The Lord said to the mother of Sampson, "As for the son you will conceive and bear, no razor shall touch his head, for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb!" (Judges 13:5). Job said, "Did not He who made me in the womb make him? Did not the same One fashion us before our birth?" (Job 31:15). In Psalm 139:13, we pray, "Truly You have formed my inmost being; You knit me in my mother’s womb." The Lord spoke to Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you" (Jer. 1:5).
For Christians the sanctity of life in the womb and the belief that this truly is a person is further corroborated by the incarnation: Mary conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ true God entered this world becoming also true man. Even though Jesus was still in the womb of His blessed mother, St. Elizabeth, and St. John the Baptist, also in the womb, rejoiced at the presence of the Lord. Would anyone dare suggest Jesus was not a person in the womb of His mother? Little wonder in the "Didache" (The Teachings of the Twelve Apostles) - the first manual of doctrine, liturgical laws, and morals written about the year AD 80 - we find the moral prohibition, "You shall not kill by abortion the fruit of the womb and you shall not murder the infant already born." "
Read next week's commentary for part 2 of "Against Abortion, But Pro-Choice?
By George Konig
September 10, 2006
www.georgekonig.org
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