Is it possible to be catholic and pro-choice?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church is not just against abortion, it is pro-life in the widest sense. This is often called a "Consistent Ethic of Life."

This pro-life stance stresses the highest regard for dignity of human life including that of:
- All people in objecting to unjust war and nuclear arms.
- The unborn in objecting to to abortion, in fitro fertilization, frozen embryos, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning
- The elderly, sick and dying in objecting to assisted suicide and euthanazia
- Prisoners in objecting to the death penalty
- The poor and minorities in supporting social justice issues.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I imagine that abortion conflicts with all religions. That does not mean it is necessarily wrong, because religions are just another human creation, such as the concept of "right of choice" or even "rights".

There are a great amount of people who consider themselves Catholic but who do not follow Rome's doctrine closely. In L.A. it is common for people to believe in a mix of religions. This has been tolerated by the Catholic Church, but Ratzinger's appointment represents a strengthening of the Roman Curia. With this, these "latu sensu Catholics" (like myself) will no longer be seen as Catholics.

In other words, you can even doubt the whole Jesus son of god deal and still consider yourself a Catholic, but the Church will only consider you a Catholic if you do and believe every part of the doctrine.

Answer 3

Well I guess it IS possible. It's your beliefs after all.

I have to say though, that it goes against Catholic beliefs. I am a Catholic but I don't really agree with everything the Church teaches. Sure, the main things like the 10 commandments I follow but there are some things I just really don't agree with. I guess some would call me a bad Catholic but i don't really care.

Answer 4

Absolutely not.

"Pro-choice Catholic" is a contradiction in terms.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law:

You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.

God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.

2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

2322 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.

2274 Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being.

Prenatal diagnosis is morally licit, "if it respects the life and integrity of the embryo and the human fetus and is directed toward its safe guarding or healing as an individual. . . . It is gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent of a death sentence."

Answer 5

It is always possible to be some form of a religion and feel opposite. Of course Catholisism leaves less room for this, but that doesn't mean that you can't be some bastard member... forming your own principles and choosing others. To be a strictly clear cut Catholic it would be hard to make this argument though.... seeing as how until the Pope changes his mind, it seems to be religious law. But have no fear... the Pope always changes his mind... eventually.

Answer 6

Nope... the Pope is pretty clear on this issue... you can not be pro-choice and say your a Catholic and believe in the sanctity of life. You must choose.

Answer 7

Jennifer Granholm does and she even passes out the Eucharist at her church. I am Catholic and I struggle with this issue. I definitely don't believe in abortion and I have had friends who were pregnant who considered getting abortions and I encouraged them not to and they listened to me. One of them got raped at a party when she was high. She was working and going to school. I told her she would regret it and maybe God let her get pregnant for a reason and that nothing happens by accident.

But would I make it MY decision and not hers? I don't know. Sometimes I say I would and that in a woman's desperation, she often makes the wrong decision only to regret it later, and other times I say it's not up to me but i would support her if she was my friend all I could and try to convince her not to get the abortion like I would try to support a friend who had a drug problem.

Answer 8

It's possible -- because you can believe what you want.

I'm not catholic but I would think you could be. Unless you were a Bishop or The Pope... I think then you'd have to be anti-abortion and birth control.

Answer 9

yeah, i can say that i am, but then again, i kinda turned my back on the catholic church. what matters is what you feel is moral and ethical. i mean, the church can be so closed minded it's dumb, and i refuse to follow anything that isn't willing to take a look at the complexity of some situations. there is so much flawed with the catholic church and its dogma that it's ridiculous.

Answer 10

yeah, of course.....who cares what the Pope says if you don't agree with it, you can be of catholic faith and still believe in a woman's right to do what she believes is right for HER, not for anyone else.