The Prevention of Abortion
and the Focus of the Pro-Life Movement

For the sake of this article, we will define Pro-Life as simply the movement by individuals acting as a group to end abortion. Again, let us remember that abortion is simply a sin, although a grave one. Having determined in the article "The Cause of Abortion" that the cause of sin is "the will lacking in the direction of the rule of reason and of the divine law" (ST Q. 75, Article 1).

Changing Human Law

Having thus determined that abortion is chosen by a woman in order that she may avoid being a parent, and that abortion is caused by the woman’s will "lacking in the direction of the rule of reason and of divine law," we must set about to make certain modifications. Thus, Pro-Lifers seek to have laws that outlaw abortion.

This, however, is not enough. The choice to sin or not always remains with the individual. As in anything, God has given us each a free will. We are free to choose sin.

If abortion were outlawed, it is likely that some might be more reluctant to seek abortion as a solution to their problems. However, the "pro-choice" movement would undoubtedly become vocal and would campaign to legalize abortion once again. The reason for this is that human law does not change hearts and wills.

Human law, Aquinas explains, refers to laws created by humans. The goal of human law is to create societal harmony. More important are the natural law, eternal law, and divine law. Abortion – the intentional killing of an innocent infant – is a sin because it is not in line with natural, eternal, and divine laws.

Therefore, the changing of the human law, which is one end sought by the Pro-Life movement, is not sufficient to accomplish the greater end sought by Pro-Lifers, namely the end of abortion.

The need for education

By Aquinas’ explanation of human actions, any voluntary action can be judged on moral grounds. However, any forced action cannot be judged according to the same criteria.

For example, let’s say Joe grasps Bill’s hand, wraps Bill’s hand around a gun, and moves Bill’s finger against the trigger causing the gun to discharge and kill John. It would be right to say that Bill’s finger was the physical object that caused the discharge of the gun and the death of John. But, it would surely not be correct to claim that Bill is guilty of murder. The reason is Bill did not voluntarily perform the action. He was physically coerced.

Abortion is an act chosen by voluntarily by the mother, perhaps encouraged by the father, and performed by a doctor. In this way, we can consider it to be a voluntary human action that is thus subject to moral judgement. In the case where a mother chooses an abortion, the father consents or encourages the action, and a doctor performs it, all three act in a way that is contrary to natural law. All three perform an evil.

The cause of this evil, as we have determined, is the lack of right reason in the will. Therefore, to prevent the sin of abortion, the will must act according to right reason. This can be done through education. Hence the need for moral philosophy.

The need for prayer and support

However, knowledge alone is not enough to result in right action. A person can know what is morally correct and still do wrong. This occurs because the will is too weak to act according to what is of right reason. Jesus alluded to this during the agony in the garden: "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26: 41). As right reason can be given by education, the strengthening of will can only be achieved by encouragement and prayer.

It is by encouragement and prayer that the Pro-Life movement can have the greatest impact. Much focus has been given on those who bomb clinics and those who shout and scream at women walking into a clinic. These individuals are not helping their cause. An angry emotional outburst might frighten some women into not having abortions, but their hearts have not been changed. As mentioned above, human actions are voluntary actions. It is much more important for a woman to choose not to have an abortion than to be frightened into hiding. Only when hearts are changed will abortion truly end.

The need to address mitigating circumstances

Finally, the Pro-Life movement can help to change some mitigating circumstances regarding abortion. As stated above, the outlawing of abortion is one instance. Other important circumstances that must be addressed are the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness in some mothers, the idea that abortion is the only option, and financial circumstances.

Chris Mosmeyer
May 5, 1998