The official teachings of the<unk><unk>  oppose all forms of<unk>  procedures whose direct purpose is to destroy a zygote, blastocyst, embryo or fetus, since it holds that "human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life." However, the<unk>  does recognize as morally legitimate certain acts which indirectly result in the death of the fetus, as when the direct purpose is removal of a cancerous womb. Canon 1398 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law imposes automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication on Latin<unk> s who procure a completed<unk> , if they fulfill the conditions for being subject to such a sanction. Eastern<unk> s are not subject to automatic excommunication, but by Canon 1450 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern<unk> es they are to be excommunicated by decree if found guilty of the same action, and they may be absolved of the sin only by the eparchial bishop. In addition to teaching that<unk>  is immoral, the<unk><unk>  also makes public statements and takes actions in opposition to its legality. Many, and in some Western countries most,<unk> s hold views on<unk>  that differ from the official position of the<unk><unk> , which opposes<unk>  and its legality. Views range from anti-abortion positions that allow some exceptions to positions that accept the general legality and morality of<unk> . There is a correlation between Mass attendance and agreement with the official teaching of the<unk>  on the issue; that is, frequent Mass-goers are far more likely to be anti-abortion, while those who attend less often (or rarely or never) are more likely to be in favor of<unk>  rights under certain circumstances. With the exception of the three-year period 1588–1591,<unk>  before quickening was not prohibited by<unk>  canon law until 1869. Early<unk> s disagreed whether ensoulment happened at conception or (as in Roman tradition) at some later point, and thus whether early<unk>  was murder, a minor sin, or morally neutral.
Catholic Church and abortion
United States abortion-rights movement
Scientology and abortion
Abortion law
Combined injectable birth control
Los Angeles fetus disposal scandal
African Americans and birth control
Condoms, needles, and negotiation