Catholic Teaching
The Catholic Church teaches that human life begins at this stage.
Conception
This global organization views abortion mainly as a public health issue.
The World Health Organization (WHO)
Catholic Answers argues that a unique set of this forms at fertilization, proving a new human life exists.
DNA
This term describes someone who opposes abortion and supports protecting unborn life.
Pro-life
This official Church document states that “human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
This academic source presents balanced philosophical arguments for both pro-life and pro-choice views.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The Catholic Church teaches that abortion ends the life of this type of human being.
An innocent human being
This term describes someone who supports a woman’s legal right to choose abortion.
Pro Choice
According to Catholic teaching, abortion breaks this Commandment
Thou shalt not kill (Murder)
According to the WHO, access to safe abortion helps reduce these.
Maternal mortality rates
This biological event marks the beginning of pregnancy and, according to Catholic teaching, the beginning of human life.
Conception or fertilization
Catholic teaching says abortion violates this fundamental human right.
The right to life
Catholics believe humans have dignity because they are created in the image of this being.
God
Unlike Catholic teaching, many secular perspectives approach abortion primarily as this type of issue.
A healthcare or public policy issue
This branch of science is often referenced in Catholic pro-life arguments because it studies the development of unborn humans before birth.
Embryology
The Catholic Church encourages society to support both mothers and unborn children by creating this type of culture.
A culture of life