Catholic View on Abortion: A Study on the Sanctity of Life

Abortion as an ethical problem has not received much attention in recent times, even though the Church has been championing the campaign against such acts but the expected outcome has not been that positive, because abortion is still going on all over the world and in Koforidua in particular. Defining abortion in recent times has been very difficult due to the fact that there are diverse opinions and concepts. Today, there are different opinions on abortion, especially relating to personhood that makes people to take personal decisions. Many are those who are pro-abortionists whiles others are anti-abortionists. The basis of this contradiction is from the two main schools concerning abortion, and that is; the ‘pro-life’ and the ‘pro-choice.’ These two schools of thought are related to how the understanding of when a fetus is viable or not for abortion. But in any way, abortion at any point in time is murder and there are no excuses to justify such an inhumane act. This is what prompted us as pro-life ambassadors to add our voices in promoting the teaching of the Catholic Church on abortion. This study is also as a response to the problem of the alarming abortion cases among the women in Koforidua - Ghana. The study was able to examine the perception of women towards the practice of abortion, what actually causes them to practice such acts, and also give some suggestions for the church in that particular area of how to broaden the campaign against such acts. The theoretical basis for the study was done through the review of relevant literature. However, secondary sources of data collection were used in order to authenticate the topic of the study.

The matter of fact is that, most often the truth is not presented to them openly and therefore they make decisions on the basis of premature ideas which at the end, make them to regret them throughout their lifetime. The result is that in most cases the women remain uninformed or worse still, misinformed about the barbaric act of abortion, and the health hazards it brings to themselves, which can result in perpetual barrenness and can also claim their lives in addition.

Abortion cases have taken center stage in the lives of women, particularly in Koforidua and the world at large. It is estimated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) that about 23 million women do abortions every year globally, almost all of which take place in developing countries,”[ Cf. google scholar World Health Organization. Safe abortion: technical and policy guidance for health systems. Geneva: 2012.] including Ghana. The episode of abortion has been identified as a booming problem in Ghana, and this is as a result of the problem arising from indiscriminate sexual behavior among men and women, the absence of sexual reproductive health education, early sex exposure, poverty, negative peer group influence, and other social factors like media.

In Ghana, complications from abortion resulting in maternal deaths and abortion-related morbidities have been a leading problem in the lives of women in Koforidua. The rate of abortion and maternal deaths, however, with its attendant physical and emotional health risks, has reached a proportion that qualifies it as a significant social problem. In promoting the teachings of the Church on abortion, we are going to study the main causes of abortion in this particular city and suggest some ways and means of how the Catholic Church will extend its teachings on abortion to this particular area as a response to help reduce this problem in Koforidua.

In conclusion, the issue of abortion remains a controversial and sensitive topic, with divergent views on the matter. This essay has explored the Catholic view on abortion and its relevance to the growing problem of abortion cases among women in Koforidua, Ghana. It is clear that abortion is a serious ethical problem that has far-reaching consequences on the physical and emotional health of women, and also on society as a whole. The study has highlighted the need for increased education and awareness on the dangers of abortion, especially among women in developing countries like Ghana. The Catholic Church, with its teachings on the sanctity of life, has a vital role to play in promoting the dignity of human life and protecting the rights of the unborn. It is hoped that the suggestions made in this essay will contribute to the ongoing efforts to reduce the incidence of abortion in Koforidua and beyond.