The Sanctity of Human Life

"Why is abortion wrong?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

Human life is sacred from conception to natural death because we are made in God's image. Abortion, euthanasia, and murder are grave sins against human dignity.

Quick Overview

If someone is small, weak, and dependent, that's exactly when they need protection most—not less. The unborn are human beings at their most vulnerable. The Church stands with the weakest because that's what Jesus did.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed thee in the bowels of thy mother, I knew thee."

Why This Matters

God knows us before birth. Personhood begins at conception.

Psalm 139:13-16

"Thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast protected me from my mother's womb... My bone is not hidden from thee, which thou hast made in secret."

Why This Matters

God is active in forming us in the womb. The unborn are persons He knows and protects.

Exodus 20:13

"Thou shalt not kill."

Why This Matters

The commandment against killing applies to all innocent human life, including the unborn.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

Human life must be respected from conception to natural death. Direct abortion is always gravely wrong, as is euthanasia. Every human being has inherent dignity as God's image (CCC 2270-2275).

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

Didache

c. 70 AD

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

— Didache, 2:2

Tertullian

c. 200 AD

"To prevent birth is anticipated murder... To destroy what is to be born is homicide."

— Apology, 9

Final Judgment

Social Justice

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