Hypothetical situation

[Mickey]

If during child birth a very rare situation arises where mother and child cannot both survive the process, is there a teaching on the proper moral choice? In other words, the baby will die if the mother survives and the mother will die if the baby survives–is there a teaching on this?

 

[Dr.Colossus]

It would not be morally permissible under any circumstances to abort the child. However, medical procedures done for the health of the mother which result in the death of the child but do not actively seek it would be morally permisssible in some instances under the principle of Double Effect.

 

[Riley259]

As long as there is no direct intentional killing of the unborn baby then it is morally licit in the situation that you outlined. A procedure may be done that resulted in the unborn not surviving but as long as that wasn’t the explicit intention of the procedure then it is ok (principle of double effect). Someone else please correct me if I’m wrong about this. Thanks.

 

[Tom]

Mickey:

If during child birth a very rare situation arises where mother and child cannot both survive the process, is there a teaching on the proper moral choice? In other words, the baby will die if the mother survives and the mother will die if the baby survives–is there a teaching on this?

No, the Church does not have specific rules to cover every possible circumstance. The situation you describe would be close to impossible to address without specific circumstances.

 

[Mickey]

Dr. Colossus:

It would not be morally permissible under any circumstances to abort the child. However, medical procedures done for the health of the mother which result in the death of the child but do not actively seek it would be morally permisssible in some instances under the principle of Double Effect.

Many thanks.