What the Churches Say: The Anglican Church

The General Synod of the Church of England states

:"All human life, including life developing in the womb, is created by God in his own image and is therefore to be nurtured, supported and protected", and that "Marriage is the ideal context for the procreation and rearing of children".

The church combines strong opposition to abortion with a recognition that there can be limited conditions under which it is morally legitimate. Such times as when a pregnancy threatens the life of the mother, where the mother has been raped, where the foetus is at risk of being seriously handicapped.

In all cases Anglicans stress the need for "compassion for the mother and a proper responsibility for the life of the unborn child". They therefore recognise that it may be necessary to come to different conclusions about different situations. The emphasis being on demonstrating Christ's compassion in all situations.

However, the Synod is pressing for the abortion laws to be applied more strictly and the number of abortions to be drastically reduced. It is committed to promoting real alternatives to abortion and to "offer spiritual, moral and practical support to those who have to meet the challenge of parenthood in difficult circumstances".

CONTRACEPTION

The church recognises the complex ethical issues raised by modern techniques of contraception and assisted conception i.e. IVF, AIH and AID.

In each case the church urges that the morality of the action itself; its legal consequences; the genetic element; the personal consequences to the child be given utmost consideration.