B
budgie2
Guest
I know this one is out of date. Just to back up that whether or not abortion is mortal sin depends on when we get our soul as it is our soul which is the most valuable part of me and according to the Catechism it is chiefly in my soul that I am made in the image of God. If a fertilised egg, embryo or fetus has a soul then I am breaking the commandment “Thou shalt not kill”. I believe that the soul is given at conception as from conception I am genetically unique and a fertilised egg has a genetic blueprint for a new individual as far as I know. As there is some type of union between the body and soul, I believe I must have a spiritual unique identity from conception also. A fertilised egg is not just part of the woman or man. A fertilised egg is part of the man (sperm) joined to part of the woman (egg) and therefore is “a child” and a new individual. However, in the case of conception outside the womb or IVF the gift of the soul may be delayed. It is up to God when he chooses to give the soul and if conception occurs in a laboratory it is also up to God whether he chooses to sanctify the creation of the scientists. In the case of IVF, the soul is given after implantation and up to the beating of the heart. The soul is certainly given between conception and the beating of the heart, normally the first if conception occurs within the womb.