Is the Catholic position on abortion unclear?

The question of abortion is always a factor when discussing politics, and this issue comes into very sharp focus, especially in election years, when politicians who claim to be Catholic support abortion. The following is from an interview on Meet the Press on Sunday, August 23:

Tom Brokaw asked Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi:

"Senator Obama saying the question of when life begins is above his pay grade, whether you're looking at it scientifically or theologically. If he were to come to you and say, ‘Help me out here, Madam Speaker. When does life begin?’ what would you tell him?"

Here is her response:

"I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. And Senator -- St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know... And so I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins."

Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about abortion:

"Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law" (CCC 2271)

The Catechism goes on to state:

"You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish." (CCC 2271)

The second quote is from the a document called the Didache, which was probably written between 60 and 80 AD and most think was directly from the 12 Apostles. For Nancy Pelosi to say that she has "studied [this issue] for a long time," and that the Church has "not been able to make that definition," means that she has not chosen very credible sources for her research, is in denial, or is simply wrong. The Church is very clear in its stance on abortion, and always has been.

Mrs. Pelosi's statements have, as you would expect, caused a lot of people to take offense, and rightly so. Since it is the duty of our bishops to guide us, and to lead us to truth, several bishops have issued statements in response to Mrs. Pelosi's comments. Here are a few:

• Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver and James D. Conley, Auxiliary Bishop of Denver.

• Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington.

• Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York, who probably used the most forceful language when he stated: "Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being 'chooses' to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name."