I know that the Church allows indirect abortions when the mothers life is at stake, and the child has no chance on living but does She allow indirect abortions (if there are such cases) when the mother's life is at stake and the child still has a very small chance on surviving?

-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), June 12, 2004

Answers

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-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), June 12, 2004.

The Church never allows abortion. It allows necessary life-saving medical treatment for the mother, even if that treatment results in the inadvertent death of the unborn child. Everything possible must be done to save both lives. But the mother is not required to reduce her own chances of survival in order to increase the baby's chances - though many mothers in such situations choose to do just that.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), June 12, 2004.

The church doesn't allow abortions at all, because deliberately aborting a child is murder. However, a woman is allowed to receive medical care which she needs to save her life. If in the process a child unfortunately dies in the uterus, then this is accepted as a tragic but unavoidable side-effect. The purpose of the medical treatment wasn't to kill the child, but to save the life of a mother. The Church doesn't ask pregnant women to sacrifice their own life, but it does say that she shouldn't deliberately kill the baby. I believe the answer to your question, Joseph, is that the Church would expect the woman not to abort the baby, but that she could accept medical treatment, while trying to hold on to the pregnancy if possible.

God bless

Sara

-- Sara (sara_catholic_forum@yahoo.co.uk), June 12, 2004.

The Catholic Church does not allow abortion period.

The Church teaches what is sinful and what is not sinful.

Abortion of the usual kind is always a sin. However, when medical problems make the lives of mother and fetus an eithor-or question, we are taught that choosing to save the mother at the cost of her baby's life is not necessarily murder. It is a medical decision not up to the Church or to a layma. It's up to doctors and patients. Someone must be sacrificed, and the mother is given a choice.

The fetus never has a choice; it may have to die for the mother's sake. But in that circumstance, it isn't a sin to let it die. If the mother chooses, she can offer her life for the sake of her unborn infant. This is certainly a holy and laudable decision. It has to be voluntary; the Catholic Church never imposes an obligation on the mother to die for her baby. The Church, you see-- contrary to what some may think; is not playing God. God rules the Church and her faithful.

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), June 12, 2004.

D Joseph,

Do the above answer your question?

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), June 12, 2004.

Yeah, these responses were great. Thanks so much.

-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), June 12, 2004.

Some Catholic Hospitals in New York State prescribe the "morning after pill, which does act to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.

This I read in a policy statement from these hospitals, as I recall.

Karl

-- Karl (Parkerkajwen@hotmail.com), June 14, 2004.

That's right Karl. It's a public scandal.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), June 14, 2004.

St Gianna Beretta Molla is newly cannonized for this very reason - choosing new life over her own physical welfare. The Pope recently cannonized St. Gianna this past May 16,2004.

St Gianna was pregnant with her 4th child when she was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. Her physicians urged her constantly to have surgery, which would end the life of the unborn child in the process.

St. Gianna's plea was to do whatever was necessary to save the life of the child. She died on April 28, 1962, at the age of 39, just 7 days after giving birth to her daughter.

St. Gianna's act of love has been rewarded in heaven as she is celebrated as our newest Saint. I'm certain she would be happy to be used as an intercessor for risky pregnancies. The miracles attributed to her, which brought about her cannonization, were for problematic pregnancies.

God Bless

-- Jennifer (jrabs@jrabs.com), June 15, 2004.

Jennifer,

Do you happen to know what miracles are credited to her?

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), June 15, 2004.

Thank you for asking about the miracle. The extraordinary event attributed to Gianna Beretta Molla happened less than four years ago. Recognition of it has been rapid. According to Monsignor Michele Di Ruberto, the proposer and advocate of her canonization, he noted that by April of last year the Medical Council had unanimously pronounced on its extraordinary and scientifically inexplicable nature of the miracle. The vote of the theologians was also unanimous. According to Di Roberto, http://www.30giorni.it/us/articolo.asp?id=3664 , the aspect which struck him most in connection with the miracle attributed to Gianna Beretta Molla was that the benefit of the miracle goes not only to those directly interested but to all the faithful. The prodigious event, of a baby girl who had formed in the maternal womb in the total absence of amniotic fluid, was a miracle particularly close to the life and work of Gianna Beretta Molla, mother and pediatrician.

I do not know the specifics of the miracle attributed to her for her beatification, other than it occurring in brazil and was of a similar nature.

I hope this information is helpful. Jennifer

-- Jennifer (jrabs@jrabs.com), June 16, 2004.

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for the information. Interestingly, just as you brought this up, St. Gianna Beretta Molla was mentioned on a recent Catholic Answers broadcast as a model woman and mother. They talked about her briefly near the end, but I think the whole show is worth a listen, because it beautifully portrays the role of women.

The broadcast is June 16, 2004 "The Genius of Woman." It basically talked about the creation of Eve, Mary's role in accepting God's call, and the role of all women.

God bless you!

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), June 18, 2004.

Hi Emily and all, Thanks for your notes on St. Gianna Beretta Molla. The really cool thing about her cannonization this past May, is that her husband, age 91, and 3 of her children attended the ceremony with the Pope. Can you immagine the honor of your very own mother/wife being recongnized as the newest Saint? WOW - what a role model for today's society.

Thanks again - praise be the Sacred Heart of Jesus - on this,his feast day, June 18th. Jennifer

-- Jennifer (jrabs@jrabs.com), June 18, 2004.

Thanks for the info!

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), June 18, 2004.