NEWS LEVERAGE

It is no longer a news to the humanity of the modern world that abortion is so prevalent, such that, using the words of Pope John Paul II, it is now part of “mystery of iniquity.” It is a fact and not an idea that many countries have legalized abortion, while some others did not, of which Nigeria is among.

This makes abortion a controversial issue granted of the fact that while in the countries it is legalized, it is held as lawful, while in Nigeria and other countries that prohibit it, it is considered unlawful. Now, it is also true as seen in records and statistics that even in a place like Nigeria, abortion, which is illegal is being committed by people. Our aim in this article is not to condemn abortion perpetrators and providers, but rather to draw the attention of everyone who is involved and who is planning to engage in this culture of death, to the truth that it is immoral, for abortion cannot be justified as a moral good owing to the fact that life is sacred and precious.

As a member of 40 Days for Life International Pro-life group, I have reflected on this evil of abortion and came up with some things, which I will like to share. What does abortion mean to those who perpetrate it? To rephrase this question will be thus: What are those who indulge in this great mystery of iniquity doing to themselves? In my deep reflections, I found some answers to this question. These answers show that the moral evil of abortion has several implications. They are as follows.

i. Those who indulge in abortion have gone against the Fifth Commandment: “Thou shall not kill.” Yes, abortion is a murder of innocent ones who cannot defend themselves. This is a great iniquity, for by terminating the life in the womb, such an unborn is sent to an early tomb. Imagine a woman who was pregnant five times but has only four children and aborted one, and such a woman lies by saying that she is a mother of four children. Indeed, she is a mother of five but sent one to the earliest grave by abortion. So, to abort is to cause the highest untimely death of those who clamour for mercy. Attention to the Fifth Commandment shows that such a precept is on the negative – thou shall not! If God tells every woman not to kill their unborn children, then what does He require of them? God’s response to this question will be, “Thou must give birth to that baby to be a mother.” And to other external parties who suggest, persuade, force or wish to assist women to abort, God echoes: “Thou shall not hinder that woman from giving birth to My image.” If they dare to ask God “Why,” His response will be “Because no one prevented your mothers from giving birth to you.”

ii. Those who are involved in abortion are not only guilty of murder is contrary to the Fifth Commandment, but also have gone against the Seventh Commandment, “Thou shall not steal.” Yes, to abort is to steal! And this stealing is not from one person, but many people. In failing an unborn, such is deprived of experiencing its human nature (of being a child, a man or a woman). Also, such an unborn is deprived of seeing its family and generation, for by killing it, a generation has been wiped away. Again, the woman who aborts robs herself of being a mother, robs the man of being a father, and robs others of being uncles, aunts, in-laws, grandparents, friends to the unborn. This means that one sin has led to the other – a multiplication of iniquities.

iii. In aborting an unborn, it has been denied of its destiny, which means that both the woman and all who contributed to failing it clearly say that the unborn has no future. If Mary had aborted Jesus, it means that His destiny as our Saviour will be thwarted, and thus we shall have no Saviour. This should be a lesson to everyone.

iv. All those who provide abortion (doctors, nurses and other health personnel) display a pragmatic contradiction, for before assuming their profession, they took the Hippocratic oath promising to work in defence of the sacredness and sanctity of human life. Perhaps they provide abortion to make money, but this shows that they value money more than human being they have pledged to defend and save, and thus, are not qualified to work as health personnel. They have contradicted what they promised.

v. Those who encourage abortion are not merciful, but selfish and wicked, for such they fail to consider that they were once unborn, and could have died were it not for the mercy of their mothers. Thus, they do not have a love of neighbour for they fail to admit that the unborn are their neighbours and fellow images of God.

vi. Those who indulge in abortion fail to foresee what may befall them in the future as had been experienced by those who did same, for every sin has its repercussion. They are blindfolded. No one who does abortion has peace of mind. It brings about constant fear, guilt, sadness, and even in some cases, health damages, mental trauma, and also for some unlucky people, insanity. It is also unfortunate that abortion providers conceal these facts from those coming for abortion. These are the effects of abortion. Like Cain, who killed his brother, Abel, they wander in the state of internal fear and trembling after killing an innocent unborn.

Thus, it is a virtue to think too about the future of the fetus/baby. No matter how the pregnancy has resulted, God can still make something good out of it. That baby can be the mum’s consolation tomorrow. May the cry of the innocent unborn children appeal to our conscience as we should always bear in mind that life is sacred and precious.