Abortion in a Catholic Hospital

With respect to religion, abortion is not only not only controversial but also immoral as it leads to the loss of lives. The Catholic Church is universally known for its rather firm stand against abortion. It is in extremely rare scenarios when abortion becomes a requirement in the quest of saving the mother’s life. From the case, Natasha Jones being a pregnant patient at a Catholic hospital is in need of urgent care that involves conducting an abortion in order to save her life (p.58). However, the situation is a challenging one since the operation cannot be carried out in the institution based on its adherence to oppose abortion and despite her situation, the staffs are not well equipped to conduct the activity. The patient is a serious threat and the doctor is certain that keeping the baby will take both her life and that of the fetal. Even though the board does not seem to be in agreement of what should be done it is evident that based on the code of ethics they are obligated to inform the patient of her condition and the available treatment option (p.59). Transferring her to the City hospital for the abortion to be carried on is not only a moral choice but a necessary one.

In my opinion, since each abortion leads to the death of an innocent child, it remains morally objectionable to use it in infrequent cases to save the life of a mother. I believe that Catholic hospitals should mainly consider their operational practices both to safeguard the wellness of the public and their religious stands. It cannot be argued that it is better to save a life than lose two at once since such an act cannot be justified at any ground. In this case, the patient should be fully informed of her status and advised on the most viable option after which she should be transferred to the other hospital where she can acquire safe and immediate treatment.

 

Reference

N.D. Ethics and values in medical cases. Case 3-5: Abortion in a catholic Hospital. Pp. 58-59.