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First off, be clear that my goal is reduce the number of abortions by focusing on the root cause...i.e. "Unwanted Pregnancies" and reducing them...without sacrificing the woman's basic human rights. You should remember my numerous posts calling for a) Contraception Availability/Access...b) Sex/Sexuality Training for All age groups ('Age Appropriate Content')...and c) Funding for more programs that make it conceivable (no pun intended) for women to carry pregnancies to term.

It appears to me that Pro-Lifers (incl. you) envision being able to use governmental intimidation (Criminal Prosecution) to stop Abortions stemming from those Unwanted Pregnancies...but that will only cause further assault on innocent women. Back before Roe v Wade, when many states outlawed abortions, women who were victims of Unwanted Pregnancies ended up either 'Self-Aborting' or seeking out "Back Alley" abortions which too often caused great harm, or even death. In spite of such horrific outcomes, women still believed there was no other choice...so there's no reason to believe anything would change if the same rules are re-applied. That is patently unjust treatment of women...the true "Persons" in such situations. Fortunately, RvW was passed and women got excellent, professional care, if their abortions were not effected by abortion drugs.

In the article I posted about Pope Francis allowing all priests to absolve those involved with abortions, I hope you read and appreciated the 'rationale' for that change...i.e. the evolution of the RCC in trying to be more "Merciful" and understanding of the "Vicissitudes" of Human LIfe (e.g. Unwanted Pregnancies, esp. those that are Forced or Coerced). As the authors and myself view it, while abortion is surely a grave sin...just like Killing in any War, including Just Wars...there are 'Vicissitudes' with circumstances that call for "Prudential Judgement" (see use of the term in the RCC Catechism wrt "Just Wars") on the part of the woman involved...i.e. SHE is the ONLY person who can make the decision as to whether or not an abortion is appropriate for HER SITUATION...and certainly NOT any outside, government entity that has zero knowledge/understanding of the circumstances involved.

Again, I refer you to the case of the 9 yr old girl who became pregnant in Brazil (2009)...The Bishop was a hard-liner who 'Excommunicated' everyone involved with the abortion that followed. The outrage from the Brazilian population got the Vatican's attention, and it resulted in taking away any Bishop's singular authority on such matters, restoration of 'Communion' with the RCC for all involved, and allowing all priests to work with members of their flocks/parishes to discern what is the prudent course of action...hopefully, carrying the pregnancy to term...but if the impact on the woman is beyond her mental, physical, emotional capabilities, then counseling her to learn from that experience and do all she could to avoid such a future occurrence.

This example, and the bestowing on all priests the authority to absolve cases of abortion, does not signal a desire for the RCC to take a "Hard Line"...such as too many U.S. 'Pro Life' Catholics seek...rather, a more merciful approach involving direct dialogue and consultation with pastors who know their 'flocks'.

There's more to talk about, for sure...let's keep dialoguing...