A question of Abortion
©Paul Hopkins Scenarios MaryJaneSusan Click on the image to learn more about the scenario
©Paul Hopkins Mary Mary is 15 and belongs to a strict Roman Catholic family. She attends church regularly with her parents and is very worried about what she should do. She is still with the father of the child but he is not a Catholic. What does the RC church say What does the law say? What does Mary’s boyfriend want? Click on the buttons to learn more… Back to Scenarios
©Paul Hopkins Jane Jane is 20 and would call herself a Christian. She attends a local Methodist church occasionally. She is not married but is in a long term relationship. What does the Methodist church say What does the law say? What does Jane’s partner want? Click on the buttons to learn more… Back to Scenarios
©Paul Hopkins Susan Susan is 46 and has 4 children already. Her youngest child is mentally handicapped and she is worried about having another baby. What does the Doctor say What does the law say? What does Susan’s husband think? Back to Scenarios
©Paul Hopkins RC Views on Abortion Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception; abortion and infanticide are the most abominable of crimes" Statement from the Roman Catholic Church From the time that the ovum is fertilised a new life is begun which is neither that of the father or the mother. It is the life of a new human being with its own growth. It would never become human if it were not human already" Document on Procured Abortion (1974) If you do make a mistake don't destroy the life... because also to that child God says, "I have called you by your name, I have carved you in the palm of my hand: you are mine" Mother Teresa (Roman Catholic Nun Back to slide you came from
©Paul Hopkins Legal Stuff Back to slide you came from Abortion is legal in the UK up to the 24th week of pregnancy. However, if there is a substantial risk to the woman's life or if there are foetal abnormalities there is no time limit. To comply with the 1967 Abortion Act, two doctors must give their consent, stating that to continue with the pregnancy would present a risk to the physical or mental health of the woman or her existing children. However, the 1967 Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, where abortion is still illegal.
©Paul Hopkins Mary’s boyfriend Add your own ideas here … Back to Mary
©Paul Hopkins Protestant views on Abortion The Protestant churches agree with the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches in principle but they agree that each case is special. Therefore abortion is generally not accepted, especially as a method of birth control. Abortion is be permitted in certain cases 1. If there is a serious risk to the mother's life 2. If conception takes place as a result of rape 3. If there is a grave risk that the baby will be born handicapped Back to slide you came from "To regard the life of the mother as less valuable than that of the unborn child does not consider her 'right to life' in terms of her wider roles of wife or mother (actual or potential) of other children, as well in terms of her own person“ Abortion, an Ethical Discussion, Church information office 1965, p33
©Paul Hopkins Jane’s boyfriend Add your own ideas here … Back to Jane
©Paul Hopkins Susan’s husband Susan’s husband, David is also worried about the pregnancy. Unlike his wife he is also worried about the religious viewpoint as he has recently become a member of the Church of England. What does the Doctor say What does the church say? Back to Susan
©Paul Hopkins The Doctor Some things like mentally handicapped can be genetic and there is more change of a baby having problems in an older women. More information….. Back to slide you came from