Church Teaching on Abortion

[ryecroft]

Elts, I understand what you’re saying, and I appreciate it. I especially understand what you’re saying when the abortion clinics are jam packed to capacity with women who are having elective abortions. But the fact of the matter is: there ARE women who have been in danger of losing their lives, and who were pregnant, and who (at the advice of their doctor) had abortions, and who were told by their priest and bishop that they had no other choice, and they recieved absolution and are in good standing with the Church. It is not for us (you or me) to question the priest or bishop. That would make us equivalent to whose who are criticizing the Bishop in arizona, and a different brand of cafe catholic, wouldn’t it? That is beyond us. At that point, it is in God’s hands and no one else’s. It’s beyond us to question these indivual cases when priests and bishops have decided on them already. So to explain myself and my comments: It can be done simply for the fact that it has been done. Perhaps it shouldn’t be done, but the fact that is has been done means that it is being done.

I’m NOT saying that women should just go out and have abortions whenever they want and not worry about it because they’ll just go to confession. But there are dire circumstances that compell people to make choices that they would normally not make in everyday stress and circumstance, and when they fall to those temptations, according to the Catholic Church, they CAN be reconciled with the Church even if they deliberately made the wrong decision at the time. That’s part of the confession. To say that’s not true is saying that those who sin shouldn’t bother going to confession and being reconciled with the Church. If that’s the case, why bother going to confession for anything at all? Why bother reconciling with the Church at all for any sin? Is that what Jesus wants? Should we just send those women away instead of help them back into the Church?

We can’t change the world. We can only make a difference in our part of it in our day-to-day interactions. When I encounter a woman who has had an abortion, for any reason, I’ll work on moving forward, and bringing her back to the Church. We can’t change the past, we can only change our present and future. We all have to do what we think is best in our corner of the world. You, of course, will have to do what’s best in yours

But I truly feel, it is way out of line for people to make judgements on what happens during another person’s interactions in the confessional with a priest. Just IMOHO for what it’s worth.

Hi - I’ve got to agree with Rence. I am one of those who would NOT be here had the pregnancy I was carrying not been terminated. My blood loss was so severe because I had tried to keep the pregnancy going past 5 months which at the time was not viable. I have been told by more than one Priest that I did nothing wrong - neither the fetus or I would have lived. There are some on here who will say that the Priests were wrong - and honestly, I’m going with what my Priest told me. I really wish that child was here, living right now, but it just was not to be and my death would not have made any difference regarding that life.
I have no doubt I will hear that “maybe if you waited, God would have performed a miracle” or “the church says terminating a pregnancy for any reason is wrong - you should have just allowed God to take you both…” or some comment that is similar. My husband is glad I’m here as is my Priest and my family. I have been asked “how are you going to tell your other children how you killed their brother or sister?” - I will tell them exactly what happened when they are of a proper age. I want them to know that they have a little brother (actually more than one) up in Heaven who they can ask to pray for them. And the question I put down I have been asked - I did not “kill” the fetus -the doctor saved my life. And honestly, if in the same situation, I would expect my doctor and my husband to make the same decision. I am Catholic but I have yet to have a Priest tell me to my face that if a woman is in a similar situation to mine or is pregnant and neither she nor the fetus have a possibility of living if the pregnancy is continued that she is supposed to let herself be killed along with the fetus. And I will not take some Catholic’s beliefs or comments (on here) that I was wrong and allow them to make me feel guilty. I am sad I could not carry that fetus longer, but my family is glad that I’m still here. I’m glad the technology is here that allows a woman to live (in a similar situation) and I really do hope that doctors will find a way to save both mother and fetus/child when similar situations occur.
God Bless
Rye

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

Hello Ryecroft, could I ask a couple of questions, if that’s ok?

1. How far along was your pregnancy?
2. Did your condition have a specific diagnosis? What caused the bleeding?
3. Were you given the option of delivering prematurely, instead of the abortion? Why or why not?

Hope my questions aren’t too intrusive, you can skip answering if you like.

 

[WatchingMedia]

Hi - I’ve got to agree with Rence. I am one of those who would NOT be here had the pregnancy I was carrying not been terminated. My blood loss was so severe because I had tried to keep the pregnancy going past 5 months which at the time was not viable. I have been told by more than one Priest that I did nothing wrong - neither the fetus or I would have lived. There are some on here who will say that the Priests were wrong - and honestly, I’m going with what my Priest told me. I really wish that child was here, living right now, but it just was not to be and my death would not have made any difference regarding that life.
I have no doubt I will hear that “maybe if you waited, God would have performed a miracle” or “the church says terminating a pregnancy for any reason is wrong - you should have just allowed God to take you both…” or some comment that is similar. My husband is glad I’m here as is my Priest and my family. I have been asked “how are you going to tell your other children how you killed their brother or sister?” - I will tell them exactly what happened when they are of a proper age. I want them to know that they have a little brother (actually more than one) up in Heaven who they can ask to pray for them. And the question I put down I have been asked - I did not “kill” the fetus -the doctor saved my life. And honestly, if in the same situation, I would expect my doctor and my husband to make the same decision. I am Catholic but I have yet to have a Priest tell me to my face that if a woman is in a similar situation to mine or is pregnant and neither she nor the fetus have a possibility of living if the pregnancy is continued that she is supposed to let herself be killed along with the fetus. And I will not take some Catholic’s beliefs or comments (on here) that I was wrong and allow them to make me feel guilty. I am sad I could not carry that fetus longer, but my family is glad that I’m still here. I’m glad the technology is here that allows a woman to live (in a similar situation) and I really do hope that doctors will find a way to save both mother and fetus/child when similar situations occur.
God Bless
Rye

This is the official position - “The Distinction between Direct Abortion and Legitimate Medical Procedures”.
usccb.org/

You will need to determine your own circumstance in accord with Church teachings.
If you need to go to confession, please do so. It’s your soul at stake.
Don’t feel guilty. What is over is over. Jesus loves you and has great mercy for those who repent.

If it was not for my husband’s mother (who died in childbirth), my husband, children, and 9 grandchildren would not be here.

“Thy will be done”.
As Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer.

 

[catharina]

Hi - I’ve got to agree with Rence. I am one of those who would NOT be here had the pregnancy I was carrying not been terminated. My blood loss was so severe because I had tried to keep the pregnancy going past 5 months which at the time was not viable. I have been told by more than one Priest that I did nothing wrong - neither the fetus or I would have lived. There are some on here who will say that the Priests were wrong - and honestly, I’m going with what my Priest told me. I really wish that child was here, living right now, but it just was not to be and my death would not have made any difference regarding that life.
I have no doubt I will hear that “maybe if you waited, God would have performed a miracle” or “the church says terminating a pregnancy for any reason is wrong - you should have just allowed God to take you both…” or some comment that is similar. My husband is glad I’m here as is my Priest and my family. I have been asked “how are you going to tell your other children how you killed their brother or sister?” - I will tell them exactly what happened when they are of a proper age. I want them to know that they have a little brother (actually more than one) up in Heaven who they can ask to pray for them. And the question I put down I have been asked - I did not “kill” the fetus -the doctor saved my life. And honestly, if in the same situation, I would expect my doctor and my husband to make the same decision. I am Catholic but I have yet to have a Priest tell me to my face that if a woman is in a similar situation to mine or is pregnant and neither she nor the fetus have a possibility of living if the pregnancy is continued that she is supposed to let herself be killed along with the fetus. And I will not take some Catholic’s beliefs or comments (on here) that I was wrong and allow them to make me feel guilty. I am sad I could not carry that fetus longer, but my family is glad that I’m still here. I’m glad the technology is here that allows a woman to live (in a similar situation) and I really do hope that doctors will find a way to save both mother and fetus/child when similar situations occur.
God Bless
Rye

So the “lesson” is that as long as everyone is “glad” then who cares a baby was killed?
I can’t agree with that.

If your priests told you “I can understand that you felt you had no choice,” that’s one
thing - but the fact that they offered absolution and you accepted it is more important.

The real question is did you understand you NEEDED absolution and did you seek it?

All else is froth.
Ditto for rence’s many anecdotes.
Froth is froth.
Excuses are excuses.
The Church allows for NO abotions.

If you priests led you to think otherwise, yes, they were/are in GRAVE error.

 

[elts1956]

Hi - I’ve got to agree with Rence. I am one of those who would NOT be here had the pregnancy I was carrying not been terminated. My blood loss was so severe because I had tried to keep the pregnancy going past 5 months which at the time was not viable. I have been told by more than one Priest that I did nothing wrong - neither the fetus or I would have lived. There are some on here who will say that the Priests were wrong - and honestly, I’m going with what my Priest told me. I really wish that child was here, living right now, but it just was not to be and my death would not have made any difference regarding that life.
I have no doubt I will hear that “maybe if you waited, God would have performed a miracle” or “the church says terminating a pregnancy for any reason is wrong - you should have just allowed God to take you both…” or some comment that is similar. My husband is glad I’m here as is my Priest and my family. I have been asked “how are you going to tell your other children how you killed their brother or sister?” - I will tell them exactly what happened when they are of a proper age. I want them to know that they have a little brother (actually more than one) up in Heaven who they can ask to pray for them. And the question I put down I have been asked - I did not “kill” the fetus -the doctor saved my life. And honestly, if in the same situation, I would expect my doctor and my husband to make the same decision. I am Catholic but I have yet to have a Priest tell me to my face that if a woman is in a similar situation to mine or is pregnant and neither she nor the fetus have a possibility of living if the pregnancy is continued that she is supposed to let herself be killed along with the fetus. And I will not take some Catholic’s beliefs or comments (on here) that I was wrong and allow them to make me feel guilty. I am sad I could not carry that fetus longer, but my family is glad that I’m still here. I’m glad the technology is here that allows a woman to live (in a similar situation) and I really do hope that doctors will find a way to save both mother and fetus/child when similar situations occur.
God Bless
Rye

If the baby was already dead, you did nothing wrong. I found myself in just such a circumstance many years ago.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

Hi - I’ve got to agree with Rence. I am one of those who would NOT be here had the pregnancy I was carrying not been terminated. My blood loss was so severe because I had tried to keep the pregnancy going past 5 months which at the time was not viable. I have been told by more than one Priest that I did nothing wrong - neither the fetus or I would have lived. There are some on here who will say that the Priests were wrong - and honestly, I’m going with what my Priest told me. I really wish that child was here, living right now, but it just was not to be and my death would not have made any difference regarding that life.
I have no doubt I will hear that “maybe if you waited, God would have performed a miracle” or “the church says terminating a pregnancy for any reason is wrong - you should have just allowed God to take you both…” or some comment that is similar. My husband is glad I’m here as is my Priest and my family. I have been asked “how are you going to tell your other children how you killed their brother or sister?” - I will tell them exactly what happened when they are of a proper age. I want them to know that they have a little brother (actually more than one) up in Heaven who they can ask to pray for them. And the question I put down I have been asked - I did not “kill” the fetus -the doctor saved my life. And honestly, if in the same situation, I would expect my doctor and my husband to make the same decision. I am Catholic but I have yet to have a Priest tell me to my face that if a woman is in a similar situation to mine or is pregnant and neither she nor the fetus have a possibility of living if the pregnancy is continued that she is supposed to let herself be killed along with the fetus. And I will not take some Catholic’s beliefs or comments (on here) that I was wrong and allow them to make me feel guilty. I am sad I could not carry that fetus longer, but my family is glad that I’m still here. I’m glad the technology is here that allows a woman to live (in a similar situation) and I really do hope that doctors will find a way to save both mother and fetus/child when similar situations occur.
God Bless
Rye

If the child was already dead, you did absolutely nothing wrong. If not, you were faced with an extraordinarily difficult decision and you acted as many here, including possibly (though I hate to admit it) myself, would have acted. However, if you killed the baby, you have gravely sinned, even if both of you would have died anyway.

I’m not judging you, because the choice to die is extraordinarily difficult, but it was indeed a grave sin that you should confess to a Priest immediately. The Priest who told you that you did nothing wrong when killing your child, even if both of you would have died, is wrong unless the baby was already dead when you had the operation performed to save yourself. If the baby was killed to save you then you should confess this sin to a Priest and receive absolution.

You have had a terrible ordeal and I pray that you seek confession and get absolved of this sin, if you did indeed commit a sin.

 

[ryecroft]

Catharina, I do generally just have you on ignore, but someone has sent me your response-since they feel I should respond, I’ll go ahead and respond.
I’m so glad you feel that it would have been better had both of us died- also, so glad you feel that you’re in a better place to judge me than my priests and even one bishop. It’s so much easier to say what you’d do while wearing the miter than to actually wear it.

It was a sad situation, but I have NO guilt over it. The fetus was a bit over 5 months (not viable at the time) - one of the other responders asked the condition I had- I do have kidney disease and something unknown after much testing that causes mee to bleed for up to 8 months when not on birth control pills for which I have to get transfusions- obviously I could not be on (bitrth control) at this point (the pregnancy occured while using billings NFP) - even if the baby had been delivered prematurely it was too early at the time for it to be saved and I deffinately would not have lived (had it been delivered pre maturely - my doctor said I was hitting uncounciousness and there was no other choice to be made - had I been concious I would have agreed-this was something we had discussed if no other choice there was no point of two deaths).
I will NOT apologize for being happy to be alive - again sad situation and I really won’t accept anyone telling me what I “should” have done or they “would have” done until they can tell me (honestly) that they have been in a situation where they were about to loose their life not to save a baby but for some “rule” or principle (and apparently this is not such a deffinate rule seeing as how I’ve had a Bishop and at least tw0 Priests tell me what occured was necessary).
Again, raeders may not feel it was necessary, but can anyone out there tell me what good would have occured from not only loosing my baby but from also loosing my life?
God Bless
Rye

So the “lesson” is that as long as everyone is “glad” then who cares a baby was killed?
I can’t agree with that.

If your priests told you “I can understand that you felt you had no choice,” that’s one
thing - but the fact that they offered absolution and you accepted it is more important.

The real question is did you understand you NEEDED absolution and did you seek it?

All else is froth.
Ditto for rence’s many anecdotes.
Froth is froth.
Excuses are excuses.
The Church allows for NO abotions.

If you priests led you to think otherwise, yes, they were/are in GRAVE error.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

Again, raeders may not feel it was necessary, but can anyone out there tell me what good would have occured from not only loosing my baby but from also loosing my life?
God Bless
Rye

You would have obeyed the infallible teachings of the Church and, by extension, God.

Isn’t that important?

I’m not judging you or saying I would have acted any differently. However, the Church is VERY clear on this matter-we cannot commit murder, even on somebody who’s going to die anyway, to save our own lives. I’m sorry you were put in such a horribly tough situation, but the Church simply does not support any abortion in any circumstances.

 

[ryecroft]

Not to try to argue or anything, but when I’ve checked with 2 Priests and a Bishop, I’m going to take what they say over what I’m told on a forum. I appreciate your understanding, but again, I have yet to have a Priest or even Bishop tell me to my face that I did something wrong. If they’re wrong, they’ll have to deal with it - (which I don’t believe they are - and as I said, I don’t believe that dying would have done any good - actually, I kind of picture God telling me that he gave me ways out of the situation - but that’s my opinion)- thanks for your opinion, though, but I’d do the same or ask to have the same be done if I were put in that siutaion again.
God Bless,
Rye

You would have obeyed the infallible teachings of the Church and, by extension, God.

Isn’t that important?

I’m not judging you or saying I would have acted any differently. However, the Church is VERY clear on this matter-we cannot commit murder, even on somebody who’s going to die anyway, to save our own lives. I’m sorry you were put in such a horribly tough situation, but the Church simply does not support any abortion in any circumstances.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

Not to try to argue or anything, but when I’ve checked with 2 Priests and a Bishop, I’m going to take what they say over what I’m told on a forum. I appreciate your understanding, but again, I have yet to have a Priest or even Bishop tell me to my face that I did something wrong. If they’re wrong, they’ll have to deal with it - (which I don’t believe they are - and as I said, I don’t believe that dying would have done any good - actually, I kind of picture God telling me that he gave me ways out of the situation - but that’s my opinion)- thanks for your opinion, though, but I’d do the same or ask to have the same be done if I were put in that siutaion again.
God Bless,
Rye

I understand why you would not believe my random forum opinion. So I will see if I could find the official documents or statements from the Vatican/Pope claiming that abortion is an absolute evil. But not now, since it is late at night and I’m tired. At any rate, you were put in an extremely difficult situation and I cannot judge you. This one’s up to God. God bless.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

Oh, and you also said…

"I am sad I could not carry that fetus longer, but my family is glad that I’m still here. I’m glad the technology is here that allows a woman to live (in a similar situation) and I really do hope that doctors will find a way to save both mother and fetus/child when similar situations occur."

We all agree on that.

 

[Joshnyams]

The church teachings will never be changed. Since the teachings are based on the ten commandments and on Jesus teachings, then changing them is going against God’s will. Only God gives man a life and He takes life. No man has the answer for uncertainty associated with lives.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

It was a sad situation, but I have NO guilt over it. The fetus was a bit over 5 months (not viable at the time) - one of the other responders asked the condition I had- I do have kidney disease and something unknown after much testing that causes mee to bleed for up to 8 months when not on birth control pills for which I have to get transfusions- obviously I could not be on (bitrth control) at this point (the pregnancy occured while using billings NFP) - even if the baby had been delivered prematurely it was too early at the time for it to be saved and I deffinately would not have lived (had it been delivered pre maturely - my doctor said I was hitting uncounciousness and there was no other choice to be made - had I been concious I would have agreed-this was something we had discussed if no other choice there was no point of two deaths).

Respectfully, Ryecroft, if the baby died even a few moments after birth…it would have been God’s decision. I just met an 8 year old boy born at 23 weeks…(about 5 months)

I’ve read your story many times. I’m sorry if I just don’t understand why “abortion” was neccessary, how it was less invasive than a premature birth.

The only reason I’m even responding is because I care about you, and I also care about other mothers who might be in a similar situation…and read your story and read that a bishop said it was ok.

Doctors are wrong all the time.

 

[kimmielittle]

Respectfully, Ryecroft, if the baby died even a few moments after birth…it would have been God’s decision. I just met an 8 year old boy born at 23 weeks…(about 5 months)

I’ve read your story many times. I’m sorry if I just don’t understand why “abortion” was neccessary, how it was less invasive than a premature birth.

The only reason I’m even responding is because I care about you, and I also care about other mothers who might be in a similar situation…and read your story and read that a bishop said it was ok.

Doctors are wrong all the time.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

First of all, I agree with Mary Gail.

That said, here is the official Church teaching I promised:

The gravity of the problem comes from the fact that in certain cases, perhaps in quite a considerable number of cases, by denying abortion one endangers important values to which it is normal to attach great value, and which may sometimes even seem to have priority. We do not deny these very great difficulties. It may be a serious question of health, sometimes of life or death, for the mother; it may be the burden represented by an additional child, especially if there are good reasons to fear that the child will be abnormal or retarded; it may be the importance attributed in different classes of society to considerations of honor or dishonor, of loss of social standing, and so forth. We proclaim only that none of these reasons can ever objectively confer the right to dispose of another’s life, even when that life is only beginning. With regard to the future unhappiness of the child, no one, not even the father or mother, can act as its substitute- even if it is still in the embryonic stage- to choose in the child’s name, life or death. The child itself, when grown up, will never have the right to choose suicide; no more may his parents choose death for the child while it is not of an age to decide for itself. Life is too fundamental a value to be weighed against even very serious disadvantages.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19741118_declaration-abortion_en.html

This is an infallible teaching of the Church.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

More clearly:

*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.75 *

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three, Section Two, Chapter Two, Paragraph number 2271

Link: scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm#2271

It’s not my opinion. It’s the law of God.

 

[Rence]

First of all, I agree with Mary Gail.

That said, here is the official Church teaching I promised:

The gravity of the problem comes from the fact that in certain cases, perhaps in quite a considerable number of cases, by denying abortion one endangers important values to which it is normal to attach great value, and which may sometimes even seem to have priority. We do not deny these very great difficulties. It may be a serious question of health, sometimes of life or death, for the mother; it may be the burden represented by an additional child, especially if there are good reasons to fear that the child will be abnormal or retarded; it may be the importance attributed in different classes of society to considerations of honor or dishonor, of loss of social standing, and so forth. We proclaim only that none of these reasons can ever objectively confer the right to dispose of another’s life, even when that life is only beginning. With regard to the future unhappiness of the child, no one, not even the father or mother, can act as its substitute- even if it is still in the embryonic stage- to choose in the child’s name, life or death. The child itself, when grown up, will never have the right to choose suicide; no more may his parents choose death for the child while it is not of an age to decide for itself. Life is too fundamental a value to be weighed against even very serious disadvantages.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19741118_declaration-abortion_en.html

This is an infallible teaching of the Church.

But it also says:
The present Declaration does not envisage all the questions which can arise in connection with abortion: it is for theologians to examine and discuss them. Only certain basic principles are here recalled which must be for the theologians themselves a guide and a rule, and confirm certain fundamental truths of Catholic doctrine for all Christians.

 

[kimmielittle]

first of all, i agree with mary gail.

That said, here is the official church teaching i promised:

the gravity of the problem comes from the fact that in certain cases, perhaps in quite a considerable number of cases, by denying abortion one endangers important values to which it is normal to attach great value, and which may sometimes even seem to have priority. We do not deny these very great difficulties. it may be a serious question of health, sometimes of life or death, for the mother; it may be the burden represented by an additional child, especially if there are good reasons to fear that the child will be abnormal or retarded; it may be the importance attributed in different classes of society to considerations of honor or dishonor, of loss of social standing, and so forth. We proclaim only that none of these reasons can ever objectively confer the right to dispose of another’s life, even when that life is only beginning. With regard to the future unhappiness of the child, no one, not even the father or mother, can act as its substitute- even if it is still in the embryonic stage- to choose in the child’s name, life or death. The child itself, when grown up, will never have the right to choose suicide; no more may his parents choose death for the child while it is not of an age to decide for itself. Life is too fundamental a value to be weighed against even very serious disadvantages.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19741118_declaration-abortion_en.html

this is an infallible teaching of the church.

amen

 

[kimmielittle]

But it also says:
The present Declaration does not envisage all the questions which can arise in connection with abortion: it is for theologians to examine and discuss them. Only certain basic principles are here recalled which must be for the theologians themselves a guide and a rule, and confirm certain fundamental truths of Catholic doctrine for all Christians.

Hiyas

Catholic theologians will not flounder …We are not to play God. All life has inalienable rights. Maybe,if people also assign a soul to the baby as the Church does ]…they will see, Catholic teaching on abortion will never change. Abortion not only kills the baby…but denies their soul existence.

 

[ryecroft]

It does mention the life or death of the mother - but it seems that throughout the rest of the passage, it talks about if the fetus were to survive - this situation happened a number of years ago - the fetus would NOT have survived - I appreciate you saying that you won’t judge me - I appreciate that because I feel that God is the only person who should take that liberty.
I would also like to clear something else up - you quoted me as saying about the technology to be here to save the mother - I wish I had written that differently because as of right now, my OBGYN (among others) tells me that in the similar situation the same thing would have occured. The situation was actually my fault- I insisted on trying to carry the fetus as long as I could - that in turn led to me beginning to bleed out - they had wanted to get the fetus out earlier (but there was still no chance of it living at that time) - in order to keep me from bleeding out too much and also because they feared toxemia and my blood pressure was going sky high. About a week later, the blood started coming as well as the pain - there was just no time - I should have just tried having them deliver the fetus as soon as they told me I risked bleeding out if I continued to carry (as wel as toxemia and high pre exclampsia) and just let it die or be born dead instead of trying to carry it longer - I guess I’ll just have to decide if this ever happens again and the doctors say it looks like I’m going to have a repeat of what happened before to deliver the fetus regardless of age as soon as they say it looks like the same thing might happen. It would appear that the church would rather have me do that, have the dead baby than to have me go longer and risk having to take care of me and stop bleeding instead of seeing to the fetus. At least this forum has let me see that it’s better to deliver a dead baby or one that will deffinately die within minutes than to chance going further in a pregnancy to try to save the fetus which would risk my life. Honestly, with what I was doing, I thought I was trying to give the fetus a chance to live- but if you are right than obviously delivering the fetus as soon as the doctors tell me I’m likely to have the same situation I had occur (regardless of delivering a dead fetus or one that will die within minutes) would be far better than trying to carry it longer and risk my life as well as risk not having my pregnancy end in a way that the Catholic Church would agree with.
God Bless
Rye

First of all, I agree with Mary Gail.

That said, here is the official Church teaching I promised:

The gravity of the problem comes from the fact that in certain cases, perhaps in quite a considerable number of cases, by denying abortion one endangers important values to which it is normal to attach great value, and which may sometimes even seem to have priority. We do not deny these very great difficulties. It may be a serious question of health, sometimes of life or death, for the mother; it may be the burden represented by an additional child, especially if there are good reasons to fear that the child will be abnormal or retarded; it may be the importance attributed in different classes of society to considerations of honor or dishonor, of loss of social standing, and so forth. We proclaim only that none of these reasons can ever objectively confer the right to dispose of another’s life, even when that life is only beginning. With regard to the future unhappiness of the child, no one, not even the father or mother, can act as its substitute- even if it is still in the embryonic stage- to choose in the child’s name, life or death. The child itself, when grown up, will never have the right to choose suicide; no more may his parents choose death for the child while it is not of an age to decide for itself. Life is too fundamental a value to be weighed against even very serious disadvantages.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19741118_declaration-abortion_en.html

This is an infallible teaching of the Church.