Then, you would say it is licit, although regrettable, to kill an innocent who is threatening your life should other means be deemed ineffective?It’s an irrelevant point either way…my theology teacher said that if necessary you could kill the sleepwalker. I highly doubt it’ll ever be necessary for anybody I’ll ever meet or communicate with. I’ll go that far.
Yes, BUT the controversial part of my theology teacher’s reply is that he said there would basically never be a situation that a child would have to be aborted to save the Mother. I said that if such a situation somehow unfortunately arose, though I find it unlikely, you can consult with the Priest, regrettably have the abortion, and then get absolved in Reconciliation. Or you can become a martyr.Then, you would say it is licit, although regrettable, to kill an innocent who is threatening your life should other means be deemed ineffective?
Really? So the doctors who advised the woman in the nun’s case were being dishonest? She actually could have done something else and been just dandy?Yes, BUT the controversial part of my theology teacher’s reply is that he said there would basically never be a situation that a child would have to be aborted to save the Mother. I said that if such a situation somehow unfortunately arose, though I find it unlikely, you can consult with the Priest, regrettably have the abortion, and then get absolved in Reconciliation. Or you can become a martyr.
I think that whole case was kind of fishy but I don’t know enough to make a solid comment on it either way.Really? So the doctors who advised the woman in the nun’s case were being dishonest? She actually could have done something else and been just dandy?
I am convinced that your theology teacher has talked to doctors and that’s what they told him- however, I do not believe those doctors are accurately representing reality.I think that whole case was kind of fishy but I don’t know enough to make a solid comment on it either way.
Regardless, my theology teacher, who I said earlier has an opinion I definitely respect, says he’s talked to Doctors himself who have said there is no situation where an abortion is necessary to save the Mother.
Of course, it would be unfair to expect you, a person who doesn’t know my theology teacher, to be convinced by that, but I am.
I don’t know enough about medical science to say.I am convinced that your theology teacher has talked to doctors and that’s what they told him- however, I do not believe those doctors are accurately representing reality.
Niether do I, all I know is that some doctors will look at specific situations and claim that an abortion is the only method that has a reasonable possibility of success. I believe this claim holds much more weight then than that of the doctor who attempts to make a blanket rule.I don’t know enough about medical science to say.
This is probably just a technicality in the US today, but the mortal sin of Abortion results in automatic excommunication. To the extent that the automatic excommunication takes place, the mother is barred from the sacraments - including absolution (until the excommunication is lifted).Well, I do know a woman (who is on this forum actually) whose life was in danger, and she had to have an abortion as a result, or she would die. Her priest and bishop both told her she had no other choice. It’s not really for us laypeople to decide. When Catholics go to their priest or bishop for advice or counsel, it’s in their capable hands. They have ALL the information particular to each person, that we don’t have. They know all the questions to ask, and look for particular answers.
I would think that a person was contrite, otherwise, why would they present themselves for confession? Why would they want absolution if they weren’t contrite? It is very possible to have sorrow for something you have done, even if you chose to do it believing it was the only option you had.
Remember, these aren’t abortions on demand that we’re discussing. These are abortions that are being done because the woman has been told that continuing the pregnancy will end her life. I can’t even imagine how sorrowful these women are. And scared.
Ectopic pregnancies are an odd, complex issue.Women who take methotrexate to end ectopic pregnancies are murderers?
How puzzling.
Actually, getting an abortion constitutes automatic excommunication- you can’t licitly receive absolution until that is lifted.Anyway, you can receive Reconciliation without a contrite heart (contrition is an emotion we don’t have too much control over). But I’d assume most Mothers WOULD feel contrite. Put in their situation, I know I’d feel horribly guilty.
There are different levels in excommunication. I was under the impression that the type of excommunication that people who perform abortions give to themselves can be lifted in Confession.Actually, getting an abortion constitutes automatic excommunication- you can’t licitly receive absolution until that is lifted.
Hmmm… ya, that would seem consistent with the general talk you hear when someone who had an abortion asks what to do.There are different levels in excommunication. I was under the impression that the type of excommunication that people who perform abortions give to themselves can be lifted in Confession.