Legal Punishment for Abortion and Abortifacient Drugs?

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Burning_Sapling

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Hello All,

For a long time before beginning my conversion process to Catholicism, my sexual and reproductive morality was gravely misguided. For instance, I was sexually involved with multiple girlfriends who were on the pill. I have only recently realized that the pill has an abortifacient function, but sadly I am not sure whether I would have cared much about this if I had known. Today I am appalled to think that I may have killed my unborn children through my ignorance, even if the statistical likelihood of this seems to be low.

In addition to this, there was one occasion where I encouraged a girlfriend to take the Plan B pill after our primary method of contraception failed. Thinking back, again I am horrified by this, in part because I’m not sure whether I knew or cared whether the Plan B pill procured abortion or if it was a form of contraception. The thought that I may have even partially intended to cause an abortion, and that I was at least careless as to whether this would be the result of my action, is troubling me very deeply. It is also very troubling that recent studies, at least one of which is published in a highly respectable journal (Linacre Quarterly), argue that the primary function of Plan B is to procure abortion.

I keep coming back to the thought that if I have really been so reckless with the lives of my own potential unborn children, then I should be in a prison somewhere. I’m sorry- I know that will be offensive to many, and that it is probably not right. But I need help understanding why it is not true if it is not true. Can anyone help? I also wonder if my encouraging my girlfriend to use the pill will cause complications in my joining the Church, as I understand that people who are directly involved in abortions are excommunicated. Anything else you can say to help me to heal and gain the forgiveness of God will be appreciated.

There may be some mitigating factors, since for most of my life I, like many of us, have been strongly socially conditioned to believe that even abortion is acceptable.

Thank you, God Bless.
 
Birth control is a sin, but does not incur automatic excommunication, like procuring an abortion does. Maybe you should consider abstinence from sexual activity as the Church advises. The fact that you feel guilt is good,and necessary, as it shows your change of heart.

I recommend you confess those sins before being confirmed into the Church (it’s a requirement for joining anyway, as I can personally attest. I kept my priest busy for a good long time with my first confession). God forgives even the most heinous sins, provided we confess, show remorse and do proper penance for them.

On a personal note I was very pro abortion/pro gay marriage/etc before becoming Catholic (among many other sins) so I understand where you are coming from. I’m not proud of that, and do not justify that in any way, I was simply misguided. But I have come to the realization that the Church is right and we should not give in to what the Holy Father referred to as a “throwaway culture” where life is considered disposable.

If an ex-abortion doctor like Bernard Nathanson and sinners like Dorothy Day and St Augustine can see the light, there is hope for you and me.
 
Legal punishment for abortion would be appropriate if there were an existing law to provide for it. You can’t very well condemn someone to prison for doing what was legal to do. The consequence of such an act is a spiritual one, and must be handled in that way. Confession/Reconciliation, repentance, and living a life God wants you to live.
 
Civil punishments like going to prison are based on civil law. Even if abortion were to become “illegal,” it doesn’t necessary mean there would be prison time based on the law. Things like negligent homicide or manslaughter do not carry mandatory prison either. So even civil law has a precedent for a range of punishments for taking of a life. Your issue, as others have said, is in the moral arena, not the civil one right now. Confession can heal any wound, imparting the blood of Christ, which cleanses any stain (cf. CCC#1432 et al) :o
 
Linacre Quarterly is a CATHOLIC medical journal, and hardly without bias. Plan B is intended to prevent pregnancy and will NOT interrupt an already established pregnancy. Numerous recent studies have shown this.
 
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