News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Pope-in-Lithuania-main_article_image.jpg
AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis
World News

Pope Francis: abortion is like hiring hitman to solve problem

by Press Association

Francis made the comments during a weekly audience at the Vatican dedicated to the commandment exhorting the faithful not to kill.

Francis said some people justify abortion as respecting others' rights. But he asked: "How can an act that suppresses innocent and defenceless life as it blossoms be therapeutic, civil or simply human?"

He asked if it was fair "to take out a human life" to solve a problem: "Is it fair to hire a hitman to solve a problem? It is not fair. We cannot take out a human being, even if it is small."

It was the second time within recent months that Francis has expressed the church's longstanding opposition to abortion in violent, stark terms.

In June, Francis denounced how some couples resort to pre-natal testing to see if their unborn babies have malformations and then choose to have an abortion, which he said was the "white glove" equivalent of the Nazi-era eugenics programme.

Francis has framed both abortion and euthanasia as part of what he calls today's "throwaway culture" where the sick, the poor, the elderly and the unborn are considered unworthy of protection and dignity by a society that prizes instead individual prowess and success.

PA

Official church teaching opposing abortion is absolute, providing for no exceptions. However, Francis has acknowledged that women sometimes are driven by circumstance to abortion and he has extended the ability of ordinary priests - and not just bishops - to absolve them of the sin of abortion if they repent.

Francis's comments came during a three-week meeting of bishops from around the world on young people, where sexuality, including premarital sex, is among the topics of discussion.

Catholic teaching on abortion has been in the headlines lately, including during the divisive confirmation process of US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Jesuit-educated Catholic whose vote could overturn legalised abortion in the US.

Senators in Argentina rejected a bill in August that would have legalised the procedure in Francis's home country.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate