Saturday, March 8, 2008

The teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that "abortion is a serious sin" is based on the moral principle that abortion is the wrongful taking of a human life. The church cannot "permit" exceptions to moral principle.

The two instances of "indirect abortion," uterine cancer and ectopic pregnancy, that Paul Surlis referred to in his March 4 letter are instances in which the church recognizes the validity of prudent decisions to save the life of the mother when the survival of mother and child is not possible. The choice is to save one life when it is not possible to save two.

The two cases demonstrate the concern of the church for the principle of preserving life and by no means offer any room for dissent on the evil of abortion.

DANIEL J. ALLMAN

Bowie