David speaks in a psalm of God's intimate and all-abiding love for him, even before he was born. He prays:"You formed my inmost beings; you knit me in my mother's wombs. My very self you knew. My bones were not hidden from you. When I was being made in secret. (Psalm 139:13-15). Other biblical passages confirm the truth that the child in the womb, at whatever stage of development, is a fully human person-known and loved by God, sharing the great dignity and value of every human person created by God in His Image (Genesis 1:26-27)
The bible condemns murder. The wrongful taking of innocent human life (Exodus 20: 13). Since children in the womb are regarded as human persons in Scripture, killing them is included in this prohibition. In addition, we should note that Our Lord Jesus Christ shows special concern for children because of their vulnerability and is explicit in his condemnation of those who would hurt these little ones:
" But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."
(--Matthew 18:6-11)
So the church, in keeping with his example and with the consistent teaching of Ancient Scripture and Tradition, condemns abortion as a particularly heinous crime.
God Bless You All,
Lorenzo
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