I've read Mr. Lewis' opinion before...and many others that take a similar approach...i.e. they
acknowledge Francis' words but fail to dig into what they mean, as the closing paragraph illustrates...
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"What does all of this mean? Well, for one thing, it is clear that the Magisterium has acknowledged on multiple occasions that there is a debate about personhood. It is also clear that the Church has not always considered the life of a human person to begin at conception, nor has the Church definitively taught this. That said, the Church has always regarded abortion to be evil from the moment of conception. More recently, the Church has pushed back against the idea that “delayed personhood” is relevant to its position on the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception. It has taught instead that life, from the moment of conception should be treated and respected as a human person. And in this, Pope Francis has always been in line with Catholic Tradition."
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IMO an apt analogy to the abortion issue is the RCC's view on "Just Wars"...it's in the Church's Catechism and in truth, under very certain circumstances, it accepts the unavoidable killing of many, many people...born or unborn...not all of them combatants. If you read that section (2308-2309), you'll see what conditions are required...and the words "Prudential Judgement"...i.e. the 'Critical Thinking' process that must be employed in order to justify such action. In my discernment, that is what Francis is leading everyone to when it comes to abortion.
What links the two issues in my mind are the people being attacked...and losing their freedom to live their lives as they want...hopefully well, and faithfully. In the abortion case, there is no doubt that there are circumstances where a woman is either forced or seriously coerced into a totally unwanted pregnancy..i.e. she is attacked against her will. Such circumstances are analogous to a nation of innocent persons being attacked and losing their freedoms...Justice should allow them to retrieve their freedom, if they so choose.
My reading of Francis' words...and the absence of Church teaching on Personhood at conception...is that the door must stay open for "Prudential Judgement" in each case where the use of abortion might arise...furthermore, in keeping with the context of the America Magazine interview with him, he's calling on Bishops and Priests to help guide women in that discernment, with the hope that carrying the pregnancy to term will be chosen...but ultimately, it is the woman's decision...not government which cannot possibly understand her suffering and loss.
Your thoughts...