Abortion

The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life including that of the unborn child. It is opposed to abortion on demand or as a means of birth control.

Definition

For the purposes of this statement, abortion means the deliberate, artificial procuring of the death of a foetus and/or its expulsion from the womb before the child can live independently.

Principles

The Salvation Army actively supports efforts to protect and promote the welfare of the weak and defenceless person, including the unborn. It takes seriously the rights and needs of both the foetus and the mother. It considers each person to be of infinite value, and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and preserved.

Practical measures

The Salvation Army holds to the Christian ideals of chastity before marriage and fidelity within the marriage relationship, and encourages everyone to live consistently with these ideals.

The Salvation Army encourages support in any crisis pregnancy.

Where an unwanted pregnancy occurs, The Salvation Army counsels that the situation be accepted and that the foetus be carried to term and that supportive help and assistance with the planning be offered.

Termination of a pregnancy may be justified on certain limited grounds where:

• the pregnancy could result in serious physical injury or threat to the life of the mother, or
• there is a foetal anomaly which is incompatible with post-natal survival, or
• the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

Any decision to terminate a pregnancy should be made only after consultation with medical staff and after appropriate counselling.

Where an abortion has taken place, The Salvation Army will continue to show love and compassion and to offer its services and fellowship to those involved.

A serious commitment to the protection and care of the unborn calls us equally to a commitment to the promotion of a society in which the lives of both the very young and the very old are valued equally with all others, in which all are assured of a reasonable quality of life and the fullest possible development of the potential of all persons of all ages.

Approved by International Headquarters
October 2005