“These procedures are only done in cases of utopic pregnancies and other situations where mothers life is in danger. According to the Catholic Church, aborting the baby’s life is permissable at this time. Rather than killing the baby by less humane means, the doctors surgically remove the baby intact out of respect for the baby’s dignity.”

Anon—

A couple of clarifications:

First, as far as I know, the procedure of early induction, when it’s done, is done later in pregnancy, and not in cases of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs very early on in pregnancy.

In cases of ectopic pregnancy, the ethical options the Catholic Church considers permissible are explained here.

It’s worth emphasizing that applying the principle of double effect (as outlined in the link above) in the case of an ectopic pregnancy — whereby it’s foreseen, but not intended, that an unborn child will die — is *not* an instance of direct abortion.

Thus, it’s wrong to say, “According to the Catholic Church, aborting the baby’s life is permissable at this time.”

Second, the Catholic Church never approves of direct abortion, and, furthermore, the “life of the mother” exception is a smokescreen, as this statement signed by over 480 physicians makes clear:

I agree that there is never a situation in the law or in the ethical practice of medicine where a preborn child’s life need be intentionally destroyed by procured abortion for the purpose of saving the life of the mother. A physician must do everything possible to save the lives of both of his patients, mother and child. He must never intend the death of either.

I’d also urge you to read the National Catholic Bioethics Center’s statement on early induction, which the LifeSite article about the London, Ontario hospital links to.

The way I read their statement, the reasons for which early induction is being done at the hospital do not meet the criteria in which early induction can be morally justified according to the principle of double effect.

If you wonder why lifesite news is condoned by various bishops across Canada, it is because their focus is increasing readers, not giving the cold hard facts… this article was never read by Fr Prieur until it was published. That is against his rights, and is also part of the reason why he was misquoted several times….

God bless

This is unbelievable. Surely the bishop of the diocese must do something to re-educate this guy and sort out that hospital.

“Let them grow together until harvest.” is a good verse to remember; it helps keep us from false hopes and so from having them dashed.