My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are thirteen (13) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Fifth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not kill.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2322.
The Fifth Commandment, “You shall not kill” includes the unborn. The Catechism highlights four aspects of this commandment as related to the unborn child in the womb.
First, the right to life begins at conception. The “product of conception” as secularists call the zygote, has a DNA which is distinctly human and distinct from both the father and the mother. Human life begins at conception. Sure, the quadratic equation is not being carried out in utero, but give the little one some time… The one who has been conceived would never become human if she were not already human. Proponents of the culture of death attempt to postpone recognition of the humanity of the unborn until “implantation” in the uterine wall, birth, or even some years latter. Abortion is the earliest form of infanticide.
Second, the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) had some very hard words about direct abortion, namely that it is an “infamous practice” (GS, 27.3). Merriam-Webster points out that infamy has to do with a reputation of the worst kind and being notoriously evil. Chemical abortions such as those realized by RU–486 are no less wicked than the surgical sort. Since 1973 there have been some 56,405,766 abortions in the United States (compared with total casualties from World War II (1939–1945) numbering 48,231,700).
Third, direct abortion is gravely contrary to the moral law. The moral law also known as the natural law, regards what good we should do and what evil we should avoid (cf. Summa Theologiae I-II Q. 94, A. 1–6). The Ten Commandments are a revealed expression of the natural law (cf. Summa Theologiae I-II Q. 106–108; II-II Q. 122, A. 1–6). We are able to recognize the requirements of the natural law thanks to the power of our unaided human intelligence. Yet God in His mercy also gives us through Moses and Mother Church clear teachings about the requirements of holiness.
Fourth, direct abortion is so serious a crime against the dignity and sanctity of human life that the 1983 Code of Canon Law prescribes excommunication as the canonical penalty for abortion (CIC 1329, 1398, 1041.4).
At the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. (5 February, 1994) Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (+1997) taught us eloquently about abortion and the Fifth Commandment “If we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?” Of course, our consideration of the Commandments of God is not for the purpose of “beating anyone up” but to call a spade a spade. If we recognize our sins as sins we can repent and confess and live redeemed lives. If we recognize sin as sin we are more apt to avoid such behaviors.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr