Technorati Tags: souls , and, the , holy, spirit
Question from Bruce on 5/27/2008:
I watch EWTN all the time. One person said that the Holy Spirit enters the child at baptism. Another said that the soul enters at the moment of conception. Wouldn't it be better to have the soul, how is that different from the Holy Spirit, ? enter at the moment of conception. Killing the container of the Holy SPirit would be more compelling an argument against abortion wouldn't it?
Answer by Judie Brown on 5/28/2008:
Dear Bruce
The Vatican Declaration on Abortion addressed the question of the soul and the preborn child. Here is what it says:
"FOOTNOTE 19. This declaration expressly leaves aside the question of the moment when the spiritual soul is infused. There is not a unanimous tradition on this point and authors are as yet in disagreement. For some it dates from the first instant; for others it could not at least precede nidation. It is not within the competence of science to decide between these views, because the existence of an immortal soul is not a question in its field. It is a philosophical problem from which our moral affirmation remains independent for two reasons: (1) supposing a belated animation, there is still nothing less than a human life, preparing for and calling for a soul in which the nature received from parents is completed, (2) on the other hand, it suffices that this presence of the soul be probable (and one can never prove the contrary) in order that the taking of life involve accepting the risk of killing a man, not only waiting for, but already in possession of his soul."
So, I would recommend that we address the fact that the Lord infuses the human being with a soul, and therefore regardless of the precise timing, every innocent human being from the instant his life begins is worthy of protection.
Judie Brown
Question from Bruce on 5/27/2008:
I watch EWTN all the time. One person said that the Holy Spirit enters the child at baptism. Another said that the soul enters at the moment of conception. Wouldn't it be better to have the soul, how is that different from the Holy Spirit, ? enter at the moment of conception. Killing the container of the Holy SPirit would be more compelling an argument against abortion wouldn't it?
Answer by Judie Brown on 5/28/2008:
Dear Bruce
The Vatican Declaration on Abortion addressed the question of the soul and the preborn child. Here is what it says:
"FOOTNOTE 19. This declaration expressly leaves aside the question of the moment when the spiritual soul is infused. There is not a unanimous tradition on this point and authors are as yet in disagreement. For some it dates from the first instant; for others it could not at least precede nidation. It is not within the competence of science to decide between these views, because the existence of an immortal soul is not a question in its field. It is a philosophical problem from which our moral affirmation remains independent for two reasons: (1) supposing a belated animation, there is still nothing less than a human life, preparing for and calling for a soul in which the nature received from parents is completed, (2) on the other hand, it suffices that this presence of the soul be probable (and one can never prove the contrary) in order that the taking of life involve accepting the risk of killing a man, not only waiting for, but already in possession of his soul."
So, I would recommend that we address the fact that the Lord infuses the human being with a soul, and therefore regardless of the precise timing, every innocent human being from the instant his life begins is worthy of protection.
Judie Brown
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