Can Abortion be Ethical?

Can Abortion be Ethical?

A Reflection Paper on Fr. Antonio Pueyo’s Lecture on Ethics

By Jan Perry B. Eugenio

            One night, Neneng, a devoted and faithful Christian, was on her way home after working in the Church the whole day.  Mario, one of her neighbors who was drunk at that time, grabbed her from behind while she was walking and took her to a shady area.  Then and there, Neneng was forcibly raped by Mario.  Eventually, Mario was caught by the police and was sent to jail.  Later, Neneng was pregnant as a result of the incident.  Neneng, who was then four months pregnant, wants to abort the child.  The Church strongly opposed the idea.  Her parents were mum on the issue.  The community where she lived gave contradicting opinions.  What do you think about aborting the baby?

            Personally, I am against abortion.  I believe that a fetus is already considered a living person.  Being such, the fetus is entitled to the right to life which calls for the protection of the state against any form of violation against such right.  I believe that a woman cannot dispose of a child simply because she does not want to have a baby.  A woman cannot avail herself of abortion at her whims as it is considered killing a person.

            However, the circumstances of the case present a different situation.  Neneng was forcibly impregnated through a sexual encounter which she herself did not consent.  Further, it is unfair on her part to bear out a child with someone who has terribly wronged her.  Worst, it would be an agony for Neneng if she is forced to raise a child who, in all probability, would carry the physical attributes of the child’s father who happens to be her offender. 

            In this instance, I believe abortion may be validly available to Neneng without any violation of any cardinal rights to life.  For Neneng, she has a right to her own life more than any one else.  Abortion is a legitimate moral action for her situation.  The Church should not opposed her action as Neneng has proven that she is a devoted Christian and her intention of aborting the baby does not make her less than a Christian.    

            Neneng was just protecting her dignity and her womanhood.  For that, I commend her in the deepest sense.