Selfishness and fear are at the root of (pro-abortion)…

“Selfishness and fear are at the root of (pro-abortion) legislation...We in the Church have a great struggle to defend life...life is a gift not a threat.”

Pope Benedict XVI

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Abortion laws stem from selfishness and fear, while life is a sacred gift.

In simple terms: Abortion laws arise from fear; life is precious.

Key Takeaway

Defend life, overcome fear.

Themes

ethics life faith

Mood

serious compassionate

Type

theological political

When to use this quote

political advocacy
church teaching
public policy

Key Concepts

pro‑abortion legislation human dignity

Questions to Reflect On

How can societies protect life?
What fears drive restrictive laws?

A Different Perspective

Balancing moral convictions with legal frameworks is complex.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

Abortion Church Fear Legislation Life Life is a gift Pro abortion Roots Selfishness Struggle Threat

More by Pope Benedict XVI

The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient means consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers.

Pope Benedict XVI

The essence of Christianity...is an ever-new encounter with... the God who speaks to us, who approaches us and who befriends us!

Pope Benedict XVI

If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true…

Pope Benedict XVI

Continue to witness to the Gospel every day and commit yourselves generously in the next missionary initiatives in the Diocese of Rome.

Pope Benedict XVI

Jesus’ example of fidelity to prayer challenges us to examine the time and effort we devote to our own prayer. While prayer is a…

Pope Benedict XVI

If we look to the saints, this great luminous wake with which God has passed through history, we truly see that here is a…

Pope Benedict XVI

“Joseph Ratzinger never developed his own theological system. As a theologian he took on what was there, discerned its essentials, situated it in relation…

Pope Benedict XVI

Jesus Christ does not teach us a spirituality “of closed eyes”, but one of “alertness”, one which entails an absolute duty to take notice…

Pope Benedict XVI

Joy is the true gift of Christmas.

Pope Benedict XVI

Material possessions, in themselves, are good. We would not survive for long without money, clothing and shelter. We must eat in order to stay…

Pope Benedict XVI

One of the promising indications of a renewal in the Church's missionary consciousness in recent decades, has been the growing desire of many lay…

Pope Benedict XVI

God loves us despite our shortcomings and sins, and his love gives meaning to our lives and to the life of the world.

Pope Benedict XVI

It's a great responsibility before God, the judge who guides us, who draws us to truth and good, and in this sense the church…

Pope Benedict XVI

Discovering the beauty and joy of faith is a path that every new generation must take on its own.

Pope Benedict XVI

Apostolic and missionary fruitfulness is not principally due to programmes and pastoral methods that are cleverly drawn up and "efficient", but is the result…

Pope Benedict XVI

Explore all 575 Pope Benedict XVI quotes

More Abortion quotes

“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…

Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974

Hey everyone, in case y'all didn't hear, I'm pregnat, and after discussing it w/ my family, I've decided to get an abortion, but I…

Madison Badesheim

There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…

Mark Ruffalo

My favorite Founding Fathers, Christians like John Adams, were absolutely appalled by slavery, and did not own slaves. I think we're going to have…

Ann Coulter

“David Bereit, Founder of Forty Days for Life, points out that any abortion clinic in America should have a sign in its window that…

John Price

The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…

Ed Koch

I'm a pro-life candidate because I believe that science is proving us right every day.

Carly Fiorina

I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion…has been born.

Ronald Reagan

We talk a lot about how abortion is a medical procedure, but actually if you look at what the other side is doing, they're…

Nancy Northup

“The Vatican won't prosecute pedophile priests but I decide I'm not ready for motherhood and it's condemnation for me? These are the same people…

Sonya Renee Taylor

Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. But actually it is the pro-abortion position that is based on…

Nancy Pearcey