catholic church and abortion catholic church and abortion the official teachings of the catechism of the catholic church promulgated by pope john paul ii in 1992 oppose all forms of abortion procedures whose direct purpose is to destroy a zygote, blastocyst, embryo or fetus, since it holds that "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". however, the church does recognize as morally legitimate certain acts which indirectly result in the death of the fetus, as when the direct purpose is removal of a cancerous womb. canon 1397 §2 of the 1983 code of canon law imposes automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication on latin catholics who actually procure an abortion, if they fulfill the conditions for being subject to such a sanction. eastern catholics are not subject to automatic excommunication, but by canon 1450 of the code of canons of the eastern churches they are to be excommunicated by decree if found guilty of the same action, and they may be absolved of the sin only by the eparchial bishop. in addition to teaching that abortion is immoral, the catholic church also generally makes public statements and takes actions in opposition to its legality. part of a series of articles onabortionand the catholic church official opposition canon 915 eucharist denial or excommunication canon 1397 §2 evangelium vitae humanae vitae in politics philosophy and theology consistent life ethic culture of life sanctity of life ensoulment double effect indirect abortion history gianna beretta molla margaret mcbride excommunication 2009 brazilian girl abortion case death of savita halappanavar activism march for life life and family paris prague washington, d.c. west coast priests for life sisters of life knights of columbus catholic answers catholicvote.org american life league center for family and human rights national right to life committee dissidence catholics for choice a catholic statement on pluralism and abortion