Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. CCC 2270-2275.

“Therefore, by the authority which Christ conferred upon Peter and his Successors, and in communion with the Bishops of the Catholic Church, I confirm that the direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral."   Evangelium Vitae n. 57.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” Jer. 1:5.

Important Church Documents

Evangelium Vitae, Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II (1995).  Available here.

Respect for Unborn Human Life: The Church's Constant Teaching, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2008).  Available here.

Declaration on Procured Abortion, Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (1974).  Available at here.

Catholic Websites:

• http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01046b.htm

• http://www.catholicity.com/vote/abortion.html - good, referenced Catechism

• http://www.catholic.com/library/Abortion.asp

• http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_hist_c.htm

• http://www.archdiocese-chgo.org/catholic_values/catholic_teaching/abortion.shtml

• http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/abortion/index.shtml#documents – tons of articles

• http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a5.htm

Articles:

"Abortion: What the Church Teaches,” Helen Alvare, available at http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0898.asp

Resources to describe historical and current cases and legislation from Americans United for Life à Defending Life 2009, available at http://dl.aul.org/#abortion

Dates to Note:

On January 22, 1973, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in Roe v. Wade, addressing the issue of abortion, one of the most controversial and politically significant cases in U.S. Supreme Court history.

April: National Post Abortion Healing Awareness Month

November: National Adoption  Month

December 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn

This document contains some hyperlinks to web sites operated by parties other than the Archdiocese of Baltimore. These hyperlinks are provided for your reference only. The Archdiocese of Baltimore does not control such web sites and is not responsible for their contents. The inclusion of hyperlinks to other web sites does not imply any endorsement of the material on these web sites or any association with their operators.