History of the Church's Teaching on Abortion

[Holly3278]

Hi everyone. I was reading a web page earlier about the history of the Church’s teaching on abortion. Well, it said that Circa 380 CE, that The Apostolic Constitutions allowed abortion if it was done early enough in the pregnancy. However, it condemned the abortion if the fetus was of human shape and “contained” a soul. Is this true? Did the Church really allow abortion at one point in its history? If so, how can the Church defend its claim that its moral teaching never changes?

Here is the source: religioustolerance.org/abo_hist_c.htm

 

[Holly3278]

Well, I just did a little bit homework and found out that in 692, The Trullan Council rejected The Apostolic Constitutions on account of interpolations by heretics. So, I am assuming that The Apostolic Constitutions was never an authoritative Church document?

Source: newadvent.org/cathen/01636a.htm

 

[Zundrah]

Well, I just did a little bit homework and found out that in 692, The Trullan Council rejected The Apostolic Constitutions on account of interpolations by heretics. So, I am assuming that The Apostolic Constitutions was never an authoritative Church document?

Source: newadvent.org/cathen/01636a.htm

Abortion wasn’t mentioned in the bible.
But I bet that if you do more research you will most likely find a catholic excuse for legitimate abortions, some where.

My sister has had two abortions!!! Terrible isn’t it?.. ( I know that’s off topic but surely abortion is completely unnatural and shouldn’t be agreed with).

We should ask our selves this question; what would Jesus say? I think we all know the answer to that!

 

[Spirithound]

I would be highly skeptical of a website that quotes 5 popes and cites one of them.

 

[Canto]

Hi everyone. I was reading a web page earlier about the history of the Church’s teaching on abortion. Well, it said that Circa 380 CE, that The Apostolic Constitutions allowed abortion if it was done early enough in the pregnancy. However, it condemned the abortion if the fetus was of human shape and “contained” a soul. Is this true? Did the Church really allow abortion at one point in its history? If so, how can the Church defend its claim that its moral teaching never changes?

Here is the source: religioustolerance.org/abo_hist_c.htm

The AC reads “Thou shall not slay thy child by causing abortion, nor kill that which is begotten; for everything that is shaped, and has received a **soul **from God, if it be slain, shall be avenged, as being unjustly destroyed.” (Apostolic Constitutions 7:3 [A.D. 400]).

The site offered no quote so maybe they take the soul as not begining at conception. Sungenis has said the AC had no offical authority.

catholicintl.com/epologetics/articles/pastoral/1973.htm

The Church is clear, JPII even spoke infalibly on the issue - no abortion full stop.

‘Supreme’ Court - Roe vs Wade

“…resolve the difficult question of when life begins…the judiciary, at this point in the development of man’s knowledge, is not in a position to speculate as to the answer… additional offspring, may force upon the woman a distressful life and future.”

 

[06convert]

I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter. The Church did a lot of things 1500 years ago that were ok then, but not ok now. Disciplines change, but the doctrine hasn’t. It’s been taught that the taking of an innocent human life is wrong, that’s been consistant throughout history.

If the Church did allow this at one time, they certainly didn’t understand how a life is formed, nor were they clear on when life begins. But they have always taught the value of human life.

It’s not important what the Church practiced in the past. This is what drives me nuts about “Catholics” like Nancy Pelosi that justify their immorality, because “it used to be ok”. Once the Church realized the truth, the teachings have been crystal clear.

We are supposed to know and understand what the Church teaches today and abide by that teaching. Disciplines may change with the times, and change with knowledge and understanding of certain things. But the doctrine, is consistant, unchanging.

 

[Zundrah]

I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter. The Church did a lot of things 1500 years ago that were ok then, but not ok now. Disciplines change, but the doctrine hasn’t. It’s been taught that the taking of an innocent human life is wrong, that’s been consistant throughout history.

If the Church did allow this at one time, they certainly didn’t understand how a life is formed, nor were they clear on when life begins. But they have always taught the value of human life.

It’s not important what the Church practiced in the past. This is what drives me nuts about “Catholics” like Nancy Pelosi that justify their immorality, because “it used to be ok”. Once the Church realized the truth, the teachings have been crystal clear.

We are supposed to know and understand what the Church teaches today and abide by that teaching. Disciplines may change with the times, and change with knowledge and understanding of certain things. But the doctrine, is consistant, unchanging.

Amen, couldn’t put it better my self!

 

[Holly3278]

I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter. The Church did a lot of things 1500 years ago that were ok then, but not ok now. Disciplines change, but the doctrine hasn’t. It’s been taught that the taking of an innocent human life is wrong, that’s been consistant throughout history.

If the Church did allow this at one time, they certainly didn’t understand how a life is formed, nor were they clear on when life begins. But they have always taught the value of human life.

It’s not important what the Church practiced in the past. This is what drives me nuts about “Catholics” like Nancy Pelosi that justify their immorality, because “it used to be ok”. Once the Church realized the truth, the teachings have been crystal clear.

We are supposed to know and understand what the Church teaches today and abide by that teaching. Disciplines may change with the times, and change with knowledge and understanding of certain things. But the doctrine, is consistant, unchanging.

I would add that the Church has condemned abortion since the very beginning. We see abortion mentioned explicitly in the Didache which dates to 70 AD according to Catholic Answers. Therefore, I would say that even if there was a document stating that abortion was ok in certain circumstances, we must be very suspicious of such a document because it very well could have been produced by heretics. Indeed, New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia states that The Apostolic Constitutions was rejected on the account of interpolations by heretics.

 

[Holly3278]

Abortion wasn’t mentioned in the bible.
But I bet that if you do more research you will most likely find a catholic excuse for legitimate abortions, some where.

My sister has had two abortions!!! Terrible isn’t it?.. ( I know that’s off topic but surely abortion is completely unnatural and shouldn’t be agreed with).

We should ask our selves this question; what would Jesus say? I think we all know the answer to that!

Abortion may not be mentioned in the Bible but it is clearly condemned by the Bible.

 

[incense]

IIt’s not important what the Church practiced in the past. This is what drives me nuts about “Catholics” like Nancy Pelosi that justify their immorality, because “it used to be ok”. Once the Church realized the truth, the teachings have been crystal clear.

We are supposed to know and understand what the Church teaches today and abide by that teaching. Disciplines may change with the times, and change with knowledge and understanding of certain things. But the doctrine, is consistant, unchanging.

Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that the Church doesn’t make a decision on issues until it is a problem? Until then, the local bishop teaches his opinion. And even the local priest or theologian. So it would appear that the Church changes or invents her teachings on faith and morals, but it’s that the Church didn’t formally declare the teaching until it was a problem and needed to be clarified. People had them written in their hearts until they became confused. Examples would be the Assumption or the Immaculate Conception or contraception. They’re not new. They just didnt’ have to be declared until they became challenged and confused.

 

[St_Francis]

Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that the Church doesn’t make a decision on issues until it is a problem? Until then, the local bishop teaches his opinion. And even the local priest or theologian. So it would appear that the Church changes or invents her teachings on faith and morals, but it’s that the Church didn’t formally declare the teaching until it was a problem and needed to be clarified. People had them written in their hearts until they became confused. Examples would be the Assumption or the Immaculate Conception or contraception. They’re not new. They just didnt’ have to be declared until they became challenged and confused.

I think that what you are trying to say is correct, but the way you put this part was confusing: So it would appear that the Church changes or invents her teachings on faith and morals… The Church does *not *change or invent Her position on faith or morals–I think you were just trying to say comes out with something more fully developed than before and therefore seeming to be different, or something like that.

Basically, Church teachings can be more fully developed; we can come to a better understanding of how some truth is applied in an area, things like that, but not ever change or be invented!