A woman who deliberately destroys a fetus is answerable for murder. And any fine distinction between its being completely formed or unformed is not admissible among us.-Saint Basil the Great (A.D. 329-379)
This quote is very useful in today's society where the arguments to support abortion often involve trying to redefine the child in the womb to something that is not yet specifically human, or it is "just" a fetus, etc.
Firstly, this quote shows that abortion has been around quite a while, it is nothing new. And the Church has always shown that abortion is wrong.
Saint Basil also cuts through all the legalistic twisting of language and simply puts it that this a human life, and abortion is a wrongful taking of that human life.
I truly believe that the people of America know this in their hearts, and science has shown this to be true. Very simply put, it's axiomatic that when a human egg and a human sperm combine at conception that a human life is created. Genetically you can see it is human, and that it is alive.
Murder is the deliberate taking of an innocent human life and abortion does just that.
This is so serious that the penalty of immediate excommunication is a result of those who have or assist in an abortion. This penalty is immediate, no declaration of excommunication from an authority in the Church is needed. The Church doesn't have to declair it, those who have or participate in this act bring it upon themselves by their actions.
However, the mercy of the Church is also revealed in this. This is the only excommunication, of which I am aware, that can be lifted by a priest if those guilty of this sin sincerely confess this. Given the gravity of abortion, this is an amazing act of mercy on the part of the Church.
As I posted previously, may this day be a day of prayer and penance, not only for those readers in the United States, but those in other parts of the world as well. I am sure that many of you who read this from other countries have legalized abortion where you live as well.
May God bring about a change in laws around the world, so that the right to life, liberty, and the prsuit of happiness will be given to all. May he also convert those who support, perform, or assist in abortions (including the "chemical abortions" that often occur with the use of certain contraceptives, such as the pill). And may he have mercy on anyone who has had or participated in an abortion, and bring about true repentance, conversion, and salvation.
Contrary to popular or media opinion, the Church does not want to damn people to hell. What the Church does want to do is teach mankind God's laws and how to obey them, so that we may all act according to God's Will and obtain His salvation.
May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us.
And may our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the unborn pray for us.
RS
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