St. Augustine: Life not at Conception?

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Monicathree

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Hey all,

Can you please help me understand St. Augustine saying something along the lines that the body becomes animated with the soul at 5 months or so. There has got to be a logical explanation for this. Thank you.

Peace
 
Saint Augustine and many later Western Fathers and theologians (including Saint Thomas Aquinas) followed Aristotle’s teaching that the fetus does not have a human soul until 40 days after conception. Thus, abortion before the 40th day is mortally sinful, though not murder proper.

This opinion was just that: an opinion. And it’s completely discounted by modern science, as well as ordinary Church teaching. For more information visit [this thread](this thread).
 
I am interested in this topic but the thread you posted does not work. Could you tell me where the thread is located? 🙂
 
The Catholic Church has always held that life begins at conception. However, people weren’t sure how long conception took- a second, an hour, a month, etc.
 
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