Information: What is the Catholic Church's Stance on Abortion?

Most people are aware that the Catholic Church opposes abortion. If you were not aware of this, now you are! Let's get into some of what I found online concerning this topic. Please feel free to send along questions or to ask for clarification!

A popular internet program generated the following response:

The Catholic Church is opposed to abortion, viewing it as a grave moral evil. The Church teaches that human life is sacred from the moment of conception and that every human being has a right to life. The Church also teaches that abortion is a grave sin and that those who participate in it, whether directly or indirectly, are morally responsible for the death of the unborn child. The church also teaches that there are no circumstances that can justify an abortion, and it is a grave sin which incurs automatic excommunication. The Church also encourages alternatives to abortion, such as adoption, and supports programs and organizations that provide assistance to pregnant women in need.

I would consider this to be an accurate representation of the Church's position. 

I went on to ask this system the Church's position on abortion in the case of rape. Here's what it had to say:

The Catholic Church teaches that every human life is sacred from the moment of conception and that abortion is always gravely immoral. However, the Church also recognizes that the circumstances surrounding a pregnancy, such as rape, can be very complex and difficult. In the case of rape, the Church teaches that the sin is committed by the rapist and not the victim. Therefore the victim of the rape cannot be held morally responsible for an unwanted pregnancy resulting from the rape.

The Church encourages compassion and pastoral care for victims of rape and their families, and recognizes that the decision to continue or end a pregnancy in such circumstances can be a difficult one. However, the Church also stresses that there are alternatives to abortion, such as adoption, that should be considered and supported. The Church also encourages all who have been involved in an abortion, whatever the circumstances, to seek forgiveness and healing through the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Again, not a bad response. I like how it adds many things about compassion and that the Church understands the situation is difficult. This is very true. The Catholic Church isn't just a law-giving entity, it's the Church established by Christ to give not only moral direction but also the Love of God to the Children of God.

One issue I had with the response was that there may be some level of confusion in the way that the answer is phrased that might make people think in the case of rape, the Church's position on abortion somehow changes, which it doesn't. It would be just as opposed.

One thing I often think about when it comes to abortion in the case of rape is that people often speak as though the abortion will somehow nullify the rape or erase its effects. The truth is the rape took place and it's horrendous and terrible, but whatever happens after that will not change the fact that it occurred and the woman must endure this. It's a very sad and difficult situation and having an abortion will not change that.

Something I also often say is that if you cannot justify killing a 1 year old for a particular reason, then you cannot justify killing an unborn child for that same reason. If both are human then the same considerations must apply. However, if the unborn child is not human then no justification is required.

Please attach any questions you may have!