Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 384 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 384 – Part II. Can a handicapped child be aborted?

(Youcat answer - repeated) No. Aborting a handicapped child is always a serious crime, even if it is done with the intention of sparing that person suffering later on.    

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2272) Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae" (CIC, can. 1398), "by the very commission of the offense" (CIC, can. 1314), and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law (Cf. CIC, cann. 1323-1324). The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.       

Reflecting and meditating 

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2273 a) The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation: "The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority. These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin. Among such fundamental rights one should mention in this regard every human being's right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death" (CDF, Donum vitae III).    

(This question: Can a handicapped child be aborted? is continued)