What does the Roman Catholic Church say about abortion? and is it o.k. to receive Communion and be for it?

Question

isn't voting affirmatively for pro choice providing the means for one?

Answer 1

No!

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 2

No. You can attend mass. But you should not take communion. The Holy See says abortion is murder. If you're breaking the Big 10 - you'd better not take Communion.

Very few people realize how much benefit is gained just from attending mass. You can always say a spiritual communion.

I would have a lot more respect for Catholic polititions who stated they were aware their ideas on abortion were against the teachings of God. Those who would attend mass and say a spiritual communion rather than saying they're going to "get the host" like it's the toy prize at the bottom of a cereal box.

Dear Bad Squirrel: A teacher I had in high school used to say "If a million people say a stupid thing, it's STILL a stupid thing."

PS: Just to clarify here - the Holy See is not the Roman Catholic Church. It is the Catholic Church. We have many branches. All branches UNDER the Holy See are against abortion.

Answer 3

The Didache



"The second commandment of the teaching: You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not seduce boys. You shall not commit fornication. You shall not steal. You shall not practice magic. You shall not use potions. You shall not procure [an] abortion, nor destroy a newborn child" (Didache 2:1–2 [A.D. 70]).

http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0898.asp

This is the Churches teachings on abortion

The Church sets out specific guidelines regarding how we should prepare ourselves to receive the Lord’s body and blood in Communion. To receive Communion worthily, you must be in a state of grace, have made a good confession since your last mortal sin, believe in transubstantiation, observe the Eucharistic fast, and, finally, not be under an ecclesiastical censure such as excommunication.

First, you must be in a state of grace. "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Cor. 11:27–28). This is an absolute requirement which can never be dispensed. To receive the Eucharist without sanctifying grace in your soul profanes the Eucharist in the most grievous manner.

A mortal sin is any sin whose matter is grave and which has been committed willfully and with knowledge of its seriousness. Grave matter includes, but is not limited to, murder, receiving or participating in an abortion, homosexual acts, having sexual intercourse outside of marriage or in an invalid marriage, and deliberately engaging in impure thoughts (Matt. 5:28–29). Scripture contains lists of mortal sins (for example, 1 Cor. 6:9–10 and Gal. 5:19–21).

Answer 4

"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,'" - Roman Catholic Catechism

Obviously, if a person's excommunicated, they can't have communion.

As to politicians and voters, the only clear guidance is the case of the recently-deceased Rev. Robert Drinan, S.J., who served as a US Congressman and voted in favor of abortion access. He was ordered by the Pope to resign from the Congress, and he complied; but there was never any action taken that indicated that the Pope considered Rev. Drinan to have been excommunicated automatically due to his votes.

However, the bishop of any diocese can take directed action on his own to excommunicate Roman Catholics for supporting abortion, so while this answer is applicable to general principles, a Roman Catholic should be aware of the diocesan position on the matter of supporting abortion or voting for access or funding for it.

Answer 5

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."

1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.

Answer 6

RC Church is FOR LIFE - From when the sperm leaves the man to the last breath you take.

The Church has asked politicians to abstain from taking the Eucharist when influencing citizens to disrespect life. However, there is no practical way to "cut them off" ... honor system. Politicians are like parents, so they're using their power of influence which the Church sees as more damaging.

Should you yourself be pro-choice, then you should talk with a deacon or priest to see if you are breaking vows (godmother, mother, or steward). Together, you and your parish can determine if it is in alignment with God to take the Eucharist.

Since taking the Eucharist is making you the "Body of Christ" and joining us all together (past, present, and future) ... I'd personally prefer not to be joined with someone who favors pro-choice. Catholicism is about united the masses ... and I'm only one small voice ... the men of God will give you an authoritative answer.

Answer 7

The Roman Catholic Church is totally against abortion, and it is never ok to recieve communion if you support it or had an abortion without going to confession first. TO learn exactly waht the Catechism states follow the link. God bless.

Answer 8

DAVER - Your answer is fantastic. I always love to read your answers, God bless you.

To the person who said "Who cares what the RCC says? Care what God says".... God communicates to us through His Holy Church which Jesus established. Christ and His Church cannot be separated.

Also, you posted those verses about receiving the body and blood of Christ. But without the Church, the precious body and blood would not even be available to us. So please be a little more respectful when talking about Christ's Church.

Answer 9

they have support groups for people who have had abortions or are contemplating them. if a woman had one and confesses her regret and sorry she can receve Communion.
if you are pro abortion and vote accordingly and support the movement - you are going against the tennets of the church and therefore are not truly a practing Catholic and shoould not reveice Communion for you ar not in communion with the church.

Answer 10

the Roman Catholic Church is totally against abortion, they see it as murder. and i dont understand the Communion part??? like after having an abortion? if it's so then yes you can get communion but after conseling from your priest. intense one. by I, as an individual, am pro-choice and always will be.

Answer 11

I don't know what the Roman Catholic church says on it ,but I think its murder I don't think you should take communion if your heart isn't right with God, and how can you support the killing of babies?