WHAT ABORTION IS NOT...

It is not contraception.  Contraception prevents the union of sperm and egg; condom; medicines that prevent ovulation; medicines that block movement of sperm or that destroy sperm.  In these cases, no ovum is fertilized - united with a sperm to produce a unique, complete human being at the moment of conception.  Any intentional interruption of the human life processes is a killing from the moment of conception to natural death at any age,  whether at 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, 9 months or 90 years of age.  The only exception to this total ban...under Natural Law and under Church Law, is an action necessary to save the life  (not just the "health", physical, mental, economic...) of the mother, under the principle of "primary intent".  There is no other exception.  Even in cases of incest or rape, there are two victims - not one; and both victims must be cared for with great compassion.

But there is another form of abortion, which might be called "abortion with a pretty face"  under the guise of "emergency contraception" and  "the morning after pill". This is the use of RU-486, or the use of "Plan B".   In either case, "protection" occurs by disrupting the lining of the mother's uterus so as to prevent a fertilized ovum (conceptus, human being) from implanting in the uterus, and thereby killing this person.  Always wrong, unless it can be proven by medical testing that there was no ovum to fertilize when the woman's body was invaded (ie., by rape or incest).  This is called the Peoria Protocol, and this is permitted by the Church.  Fortunately, common sense and a respect for constitutional Freedom of Religion recently caused the Connecticut State legislature to scrap efforts to force Catholic hospitals to prescribe and to provide their patients with RU-486 or with Plan B medications.  But only by constant vigilance and a strong position did we all defeat this attack...for now.

And this is the purpose of this series of reports: information - motivation - constant vigilance - and ACTION.

In coming weeks, we will discuss moral and sensible alternatives to abortion: care of the mother, adoption, responsible conception and contraception.  We will also keep you informed of the latest, and inevitable, pro-abortion attacks on moral society...and on the best interests of both mother and child.

Peter Moore, PhD    George A. Sprecace, M.D., J.D.